Youth Sponsorships

Building Opportunity for Talented Youth to Pursue their Dreaming

Dreaming means talent/gifting (Aunty Beth Wright)

Sponsored youth demonstrate potential, talent and motivation in their chosen art form.  Art forms include: Music, Dance, Art, Wayilwan Language, Theatre/drama and Voice: public speaking and/or singing.

Funds are used to provide additional opportunities for the sponsored youth to develop confidence and practice in their chosen art form (see below).

Funding for youth sponsorship is currently sourced from two donors and a small grant under the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. Unfortunately, this is far from adequate to meet the needs of our youth.

Volunteers currently provide tutoring in Wayilwan language to youth. Youth sponsorship is provided for young people aged between 15 and 24 who:

1.     reside in Warren, or

2.     have resided in Warren but have moved away to pursue their dreaming

Additional criteria is listed below

Funding provides the youth with bespoke opportunities, including but not limited to:

·      Lessons/tutoring

·      Performance opportunities

·      Competition entries

·      Camps

·      Workshops 

Warraan Widji Arts would like to THANK -

  • University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) for:

    - funding one week’s accommodation in Marrickville, Sydney to grow leadership capacity for 6 of our young cultural leaders 12-18 November 2024!

    - providing a recording opportunity to grow Wayilwan language reawakening through a rap song!

  • The Sydney Conservatorium of Music for providing a recording opportunity to share local Wayilwan stories through song 14 November 2024!

  • Rachel Cant for sponsoring the Dreaming Drifters to perform at the Aboriginal Cultural Showcase, Tamworth Country Music Festival 23-24 January 2025

  • David & Wendy Burns for sponsoring Charlie & Indiana Gale to attend the Maxed Out Company Taiko Intensives (Moorambilla Voice) 2024/2025 and music lessons for Kaya, Zoey, Kallie-Lea, Gracie, Jerome, Charlie, Olivia, Roxy, Indie, Hayley, Hannah, Kallie-Lea, Kiara Ann & Kayden.

There is no limit to the number of youth who can be sponsored as long as the youth satisfy the criteria.   

The youth below have received sponsorship:

 Zoey Daley – HSC music/vocals/Wayilwan Language/public speaking/Dreaming Drifters

Shamika Kentwell – art

Gracie Leonard – music (vocals)

Jerome Shepherd – music (instrumental)/Dreaming Drifters

Charlie Gale – early childhood teaching at the local preschool, dance/Wayilwan Language/music - Maxed Out Company (Moorambilla Voices)

Indiana Gale - dance/Wayilwan Language - Maxed Out Taiko Intensive

If you would like to donate toward this amazing program, to grow opportunities for our talented youth please click on the button below

Criteria for youth sponsorship/support:

  • identifies as a Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person

  • demonstrates cultural capability

  • demonstrates a passion for reawakening Wayilwan Language in the local community

  • demonstrates leadership qualities

  • family has limited funds to support their child to grow their artistic talent and leadership

  • interest in the creative and/or performing arts

  • aged between 15 and 24