The Akoostik Festival hopes the Sunday program this year will engage youth.
YOUTH engagement at Wingham’s annual Akoostik Festival is set to benefit after a $2500 grant was approved by Music NSW for Akoostik Youth.
The grant allows the Akoostik committee to engage with the six young people aged 18 to 25 years, nominated as youth development coordinators for this year’s Akoostik Festival, being held on October 19 and 20.
Event co-ordinator, Donna Ballard said the Akoostik committee was thrilled to learn from member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead it had received the grant and said that youth involvement and development is a focus of the festival.
"These grants are open to groups of at least five young people aged 12-25, working in partnership with a support organisation such as local council or local youth service,” Mr Bromhead said.
"The funding encourages young people to participate in arts and culture and brings opportunities for artistic development to regional communities."
Donna explained the six people who will work with the committee are Jim Bird, Jack Bailey, Joe Minett, Saiya Deehan, Andrew Ballard and Brandon Kane.
“Some live locally, others in Newcastle, and all have been actively involved as volunteers with us in prior years,” Donna said.
“We are hoping their involvement will facilitate the attraction of the festival to a younger age group and draw attendees from the Hunter Valley.”
In particular she said organisers are keen to develop the Sunday program with this group to ensure the artists chosen have appeal to this age group on a broader scale.
The Akoostik committee has invited Indent NSW to attend the festival to run workshops in event management and music development.
“We hope they will be able to attend as their presence would meet the aims of the Akoostik festival, to develop music skills in the Manning Valley and lift the cultural profile of the region,” Donna said.
Indent is the NSW government’s youth entertainment initiative coordinated by Music NSW. It provides funding, workshops, resources, advice and information to an active network of young people throughout NSW to develop, encourage and facilitate entertainment for young people.