The wealth of experience gained over 20 years of operation makes the Messengers
program an important part of youth service delivery across the ACT. High school students aged 10-18 years are offered an arts-based approach that fosters personal resilience, acceptable communication skills and strong peer support. A variety of arts activities provide participants with an opportunity to reflect on pers
onal situations and explore different coping mechanisms through expressions of world views, personal fears and emotions. By building the participants resilience, the flow-on effect can often assist their families to better cope with the difficult circumstances they may find themselves in and to reconnect with their teenagers. Music, Dance, Visual Arts, Drama, Creative Writing, Film and Photography activities allow participants to use creativity to work through challenges and develop new ways of thinking and behaving. The program employs a range of professional contemporary artists who ensure program goals are met. Support staff connect with other agencies and services providers and liaise with parents, carers and school staff. Additional one-on-one support for participants is also provided on a case- by-case basis. Young mentors also work within the program to support participants. Often these mentors have come through the program and can now share the valuable skills they have learned with their younger peers. The program is managed by Tuggeranong Arts Centre and funded by the ACT Government’s Child, Youth & Family Services Program. The Messengers program:
• utilises artistic expression as a tool to build resilience in young people
• provides a safe, creative and inclusive environment so students can explore issues relevant to them
• offers a high level of coaching and direction for young people
• participants receive access to professional staff and artists, who encourage them to develop their creative, social and personal skills
• welcomes in particular newly arrived migrants
• values participation by young aboriginal people
