Who we are
Outloud is a youth arts organisation based on Darug land in Bankstown, Western Sydney. We provide dynamic, socially-driven arts opportunities for young people in our community.
Our award-winning programming nurtures young people throughout their journey in the arts. From workshops delivered in schools, through to residencies and mentorship, we are friends to young artists each step of the way.
Our care-based projects are holistic and unique, connecting up young people with professional artists and support specialists (like counsellors or youth workers) to make artworks that give them transferable life skills and help them move through hardships by expressing and celebrating their strengths. They’re also heaps of fun!
What we do
RESPECT
Outloud’s award-winning program, RESPECT, has been developed for the prevention of domestic violence and is delivered in primary schools to boys aged ten to 12. The program has been delivered to more than a thousand individual students, averaging about 200 per year.
Unity
UNITY is a new project from Outloud for girls and gender diverse young people aged 10-12, offering mentoring on healthy relationships, consent, healthy boundaries and body neutrality. Participants will write, rehearse and perform their own song about these topics and how they want the world to be in the future.
Open Studio
Open Studio began during the COVID-19 lockdown when we were missing having regular chats about art and art making with young people and emerging artists. You can now book a virtual meeting with one of our resident artists to discuss your career and ambitions.
Stories of Strength
To counter stereotypes about the region, Outloud has teamed up with Sydney’s independent youth broadcaster FBi radio’s All The Best and local Western Sydney high schools to train young people in collecting their stories of “strength” from their community.
Independent Artist Workshop Series
Join us every last Wednesday of the month for a series of captivating workshops designed exclusively for independent artists like yourself. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this is your opportunity to discover invaluable insights and techniques that will propel your artistic journey to new heights.
Muslim Peers Project
Nominated – WayAhead 2022 Mental Health Matters Awards – Rainbow Inclusion
Muslim Peers Project supports young queer Muslims experiencing mental health distress. This project utilises community peer support and mentoring, and art-based therapeutic intervention to strengthen solidarity, connection and community understanding.
Praise for Outloud
“[Outloud continues] to inspire local young people and their positive contribution to the arts, the community and Australian society.”
Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education
“Outloud plays a critical role in Western Sydney as a cultural broker, linking people and projects, particularly enabling access and skills development to practitioners, artists and participants in community, community development space and the arts.”
Ola El Hassan – Linked Up Program