Future Reset is a ground-breaking partnership between VicHealth and the arts sector, aimed at advancing the collective health and wellbeing of young people.
Together, we're harnessing the power of art, creativity, and culture to enhance mental wellbeing and social connection, with young people leading the charge. When art and young people come together, the possibilities are endless—a future with unimaginable potential.
The pandemic has highlighted global inequalities rooted in intersecting structures of race, class, gender, heteronormativity, and ableism. These inequalities manifest in various social, health, and economic outcomes, impacting people's sense of belonging, safety, and security in institutions and everyday contexts. In response, the Future Reset program was developed as part of a growing movement in public health initiatives worldwide to increase social connectedness and wellbeing through community-based art projects.
As one of the nine arts organizations in this initiative, Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) has partnered with VicHealth's Future Reset to deliver transformative youth-oriented programs in Melbourne's outer southeastern, western, and Wimmera regions. Over the next three years, these programs will foster creativity and promote mental wellbeing through connection, culture, and youth-led projects.
Programs:
MAV has engaged with 7 incredible producers from our community to undertake a co-design process with our Young Creative Lead, James Emmanuel McKinnon to produce the following programs:
🎶 Unleashing Talent: The BeFree HipHop Workshops 🎶
The Be Free Workshops were born out of the pressing need for music education and opportunities for aspiring artists in Wyndham and the greater Western suburbs. Inspired by his own experiences and the lack of recurring music programs post-high school, Nomad is determined to create a space where young musicians can thrive and explore their passions freely.
THRIVE CAST presented by Tiaal Mi Goa
🌱 Introducing Thrive Cast: Amplifying Mental and Social Wellbeing 🌱
Meaning ‘good mental health’ in Nuer, Tiaal Mi Goa is a mental health support group that aims to provide a safe space for culturally diverse young people in Ballarat. Through Thrive Cast, we're proud to showcase the brilliant work of these young individuals as they share their raw and personal insights on a range of youth wellbeing and mental health issues affecting Ballarat's youth.
CULTIVATE by Tasi Taa
🌟 Explore the Heart of Hampton Park with Tasi Taa 🌟
Introducing Tasi Taa: Cultivate, a dynamic crew dedicated to uniting the diverse communities of Hampton Park through the magic of storytelling and music theatre workshops.
Nestled in the South East, Hampton Park is a melting pot of cultures, talents, and ideas. They have immersed themselves in this vibrant neighbourhood, seeking to bridge the gaps between different backgrounds and celebrate the collective human experience.
M.A.D Festival by Larra Juab
🎶 Presenting MAD Festival: Celebrating Music, Arts, and Dance in Dandenong 🎨
MAD Festival, held in October 2023, brought together leading creative collectives and multicultural youth in the South East to showcase their talents and artistic expressions. Connection Arts Space, alongside Multicultural Arts Victoria and VicHealth, dedicated a weekend of immersive experiences for the community.
Higher Vision led by Titan Debirioun
🎥 Elevating Voices: The Higher Vision Filmmaking Program by Titan 🎥
Participants in the Higher Vision program will have access to mentors, equipment, and resources to bring their ideas to life on screen. This program isn't just about creating films; it's about amplifying the voices and stories of young creatives in the community.
Diversity in Motion led by Deng Tebir
🌟 Introducing Diversity in Motion: Empowering Multicultural Youth through Dance 🌟
Diversity in Motion is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at showcasing the talents of multicultural youth in Melton. Deng's passion for providing a platform for talented kids to shine has led to the creation of Diversity in Motion—an all-schools dance event coupled with workshops, mentorships, and a talent quest.
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Meet the Producers:
Deng Tebir
PROGRAM: DIVERSITY IN MOTION
Deng is the lead producer for Diversity In Motion, a series of in-school dance workshops, mentorships and a talent quest. Workshops will be held between July 2023 to October 2024 for multicultural youth schools in Melton.
Tasi Taa
PROGRAM: CULTIVATE
May and Fionna of Tasi Taa engage with young multicultural families and kids in Hampton Park neighbourhood to develop stories, and produce music theatre workshops and performances.
Titan Debirioun
PROGRAM: HIGHER VISION
Titan leads Higher Vision, a filmmaking program offered to African youth in Tarneit and Point Cook. Participants will have access to mentors and equipment to create content for screen.
NOMAD
PROGRAM: BE FREE
Produced by Nomad, and led by members of the Afro-Pasifika Youth in Werribee and Tarneit, is a program to develop skills in Hip Hop and RnB music production. Engaging with local schools and youth groups, these workshops will be held between May 2023 to June 2024.
Larra Juab
PROJECT: M.A.D FESTIVAL
Larra will be producing the Music, Arts and Dance Festival in the city of Dandenong alongside leading creative collectives and multicultural youth in the South East. The festival was held in October 2023.
CENTRE FOR MULTICULTURAL YOUTH BALLARAT
PROJECT: THRIVE CAST PODCAST
Meaning ‘good mental health’ in Nuer, Tiaal Mi Goa is a mental health support group initiated by CMY and Headspace Ballarat. The podcast, ThriveCast, will be produced in Central Highlands & Wimmera regions between July 2023 to October 2024.
Outcomes:
🔥 Diversity in Motion:
Enhanced dance skills: Participants will develop their dance abilities through workshops, mentorship, and performances, gaining confidence and technical proficiency.
Community engagement: The project will create opportunities for multicultural youth to connect with each other and with the broader community through dance, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity.
Talent recognition: The initiative will provide a platform for young dancers to showcase their talents, receive recognition, and potentially access further opportunities in the dance industry.
🔥 Be Free Hip Hop Workshops:
Empowerment through music production: Young talents will be empowered to express themselves through Hip Hop and RnB music production, gaining skills in beat-making, songwriting, and recording.
Resources and mentorship: Participants will have access to resources such as recording equipment and software, as well as mentorship from experienced artists, helping them develop their craft and navigate the music industry.
Community impact: The workshops will contribute to the local music scene, fostering creativity, collaboration, and cultural expression among youth in Wyndham and Western suburbs
🔥 Higher Vision Filmmaking Program:
Development of filmmaking skills: African youth will learn the art and techniques of filmmaking, including scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, and editing, enabling them to tell their stories effectively.
Encouragement of creativity and storytelling: The program will encourage participants to explore their creativity and express their unique perspectives through filmmaking, fostering a deeper understanding of storytelling as a powerful medium.
Amplification of voices: The films created through the program will amplify the voices and experiences of African youth, contributing to a more diverse and inclusive narrative in the filmmaking industry.
🔥 M.A.D/Music Arts Dance Festival
Celebration of cultural diversity: The festival will celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Dandenong through music, arts, and dance, promoting inclusivity, understanding, and appreciation of diverse traditions.
Promotion of community cohesion: By bringing together artists, performers, and community members, the festival will promote social cohesion, strengthen community bonds, and create a shared sense of identity and pride.
Support for mental wellbeing: The creative and expressive nature of the festival will contribute to positive mental health outcomes, providing an outlet for self-expression, joy, and connection.
🔥 Tiaal Mi Goa Podcast (Thrive Cast) / Thrive Cast
Increased mental health awareness: The podcast will raise awareness about mental health issues among youth in the Central Highlands & Wimmera regions, encouraging open conversations and reducing stigma.
Destigmatization of mental health: By sharing personal stories and insights, the podcast will contribute to destigmatizing mental health challenges, promoting empathy, understanding, and support within the community.
Valuable insights and support: Listeners will gain valuable insights, coping strategies, and resources related to mental wellbeing, empowering them to prioritize their mental health and seek help when needed.
These combined outcomes capture the comprehensive impact and benefits of each project, addressing skill development, empowerment, community engagement, cultural celebration, and mental wellbeing support.
VicHealth developed the Future Reset program in response to the pandemic, which brought into clearer view the widening global inequalities rooted in intersecting structures of race, class, gender, heteronormativity, and ableism.
The burden of these inequalities is reflected in various social, health, and economic outcomes, as well as people’s sense of belonging, safety, and (in)security in institutions and everyday contexts. This program seeks to increase social connectedness and well-being through community-led art projects.
Together with our friends at; Arts Access Victoria, Arts Mildura, Footscray Community Arts, Next Wave, The Push, Regional Arts Victoria, Western Edge Youth Arts and Yirrmaboi Festival, FUTURE RESET is VicHealth's latest partnership with the arts sector to move the dial on young peoples collective health and wellbeing as supported by the Victorian Government.
