Since the beginning of time, art has always been at the heart of human society. A genuine gift to the world, art gives meaning to life, helps us understand our world; and allows us to have a deeper understanding of our emotions.
Forever used as a tool for cultural exchange, education, and expression, increasing our self-awareness and allowing us to be open to new ideas and experiences, art opens our minds and hearts, showing us what could be possible in our world.
Based on the notion that art can bring positive change into our lives for the better, Bluebird Foundation is a Geelong-based community arts organisation creating and delivering quality arts programs that make a difference.
Stay up to date with what’s happening within the region’s art scene here.
Recognising the power of the arts to effect cultural change within communities resulting in improved social, emotional and health outcomes, Bluebird Foundation creates art projects for vulnerable families and young people in Geelong that respond to their unique needs and ambitions.
Built on the pillars of joy, inclusion and integrity, the organisation provides a complete arts management service, starting with the project concept and finishing with the completed artwork/event.
Joining forces with award-winning Geelong-based artist Laura Alice, the Bluebird Foundation has been creating safe, creative spaces and high-quality arts empowerment projects, offering a healing and wonderful journey at no cost. Collaborative and needs-based, projects range from ongoing weekly programs to short-term projects, as well as occasional one-off performances and opportunities.
“Music and the arts is integral to being human,” Laura explains.
“It provides a connection to self, to others and the world. It can provide healing, safety and joy. Bluebird have recognised this and made it central to their mission, to help people plug into their innate creativity, without barriers or division.”
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Well known for creating collaborative projects that are both empowering and esoteric, Laura’s arts background and passion for social justice and inclusion proved the perfect match for Bluebird Foundation, paving the way to a more vibrant, understanding future for coming generations.
“ I wanted to make high-quality art but wanted everyone to experience it- not just the fortunate elite- everyone. I wanted them to experience the joy of making, the magical sense of working communally and then feeling proud of making something beautiful. I was thrilled when I discovered Bluebird and Bron who constantly empowered and supported me to do just that. I feel incredibly privileged to partner with them, and grateful every day.”
One beautiful Bluebird Foundation project that champions creative ways of expressing human experience is the recent STIM Short Film, a NeuroDivergent Teens Advisory Group Project that celebrates neurodiversity through the eyes of four amazing teens sharing their unique perspectives.
“Since the very beginning of my work at Bluebird and girls street art collective, we found that quite a lot of the wonderful young people who came to our programs and were drawn to our creative spaces were neurodiverse. Over time we noticed that Bluebird House was a real sanctuary for them,” artist Laura Alice explains.
“However, on the flip side, we also realised how under-supported these young people were, and how easy it was for them to slip through the cracks of NDIS and funding support- especially for girls, women and non-binary neurodiverse people. There were so few programs designed to empower and cater to them and their unique skills, strengths and challenges, and so little education about what that looks like from their perspective.
“This was confirmed when we did a call-out for participants and we were flooded with emails. This confirmed to us that we were on the right track in creating space for them to have a voice and express their worlds in a way that made sense to them.”
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With creative Laura Alice at the helm, for this project Leilani Blackert, Sage MacDonald, Grace Hamilton and Lucinda Lewis came together, along with assistant Cat Kilner, over several sessions, learning digital drawing, animation and visual storytelling, and unpacking together their unique ADHD and/or Autistic lives.
“Over time and through various forms of discussion, written word and creativity, each artist delved into parts of their unique minds that were important for them to express. I took their drawings, animations and important insights and used that as the foundation for our short film.”
Proving vulnerability is so often the secret creative ingredient, the project combined their paintings, sketches and musings in the final product of ‘STIM!’, offering a glimpse into their vibrant inner worlds.
Celebrating neurodiversity through unique perspectives, the beautiful short animated documentary ‘STIM!’ serves to remind us that diversity is a vital and important part of the human experience.
“My main hope is that people will come away and realize that diversity of the human mind is a wonderful asset to society and that making space for difference strengthens and unifies us.”
“For so many years, neurodivergent people have faced discrimination, inequity and misunderstanding. The ways they have been taught to ‘fit in’ have, in many cases, actually caused harm.
“However, despite challenges and support differences, neurodiverse people have so much to offer. There are strengths, superpowers and great beauty in the unique skills and communication styles of neurodiverse people, and they deserve to be celebrated, understood and appreciated.”
STIM! will make its premiere at The Pivotonian Cinema on Sunday, June 18 from 2pm to 3:30pm, coinciding with the weekend of Autistic Pride Day and Neurodiversity Pride Day.
Offering a blank canvas and an outlet for community members to express their views and foster self-expression, all within a safe environment of support and cooperation, Laura and Bluebird Foundation will continue to foster arts projects that make a difference.
“Each project is different, each outcome is a fun and unique challenge,” Laura explains.
“Film-making, murals, augmented reality installations. We have a lot of exciting projects on the boil and a lot of key artists, musicians and mentors working on different projects. It’s all very exciting and ever-changing.”
If you or someone you know is interested in getting involved with the Bluebird Foundations, and the workshops, exhibitions, shows and screenings, head to the website, Instagram or Facebook page.
