Shopfront Arts Co-Op

27/08/2026

Two weeks ago, we welcomed five schools from across the Sutherland Shire and Georges River areas to Shopfront as part of EYTIC — Empowering Youth to Inspire Change! 🌟

The Mid-Year Forum was a day full of creativity, connection, fun and mentorship. It was so wonderful to see our theatre and spaces buzzing with Young People, sharing ideas, getting creative and inspiring one another.

And, of course, we wrapped up the day with an amazing lunch from local legends 🌭

Big yay to everyone who joined us! 🎉

27/08/2026

🎉 VOTE FOR SOPHIE 🎉

We are SO proud to announce that Shopfront Old Leader and current Admin Assistant Sophie Ward jhas been nominated for 2026 Westfield Hurstville Local Hero!

Sophie has been part of the Shopfront community for 15 YEARS, championing young people’s voices, creating inclusive opportunities, and delivering programs for young people living with disability and mental health challenges. She’s all about making sure people feel seen, heard and valued — and we couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.

🏆 If Sophie wins, Shopfront will receive $20,000!
This funding would help us expand Outside the Lines to run twice-weekly, no-cost sessions throughout the school year, creating even more opportunities for young people to connect, create and belong.

🗳️ VOTE FOR SOPHIE https://www.westfield.com.au/hurstville/news/4vVmu7yJnJPu3HVsVWlDzO/local-heroes-2026?utm_source=local-heroes-finalist&utm_medium=owned-other&utm_id=a6254

26/08/2026

15/08/2026

40 YEARS AGO TODAY... 👀

On this day 40 years ago, 'Decade' — Shopfront’s play celebrating its 10th birthday — OPENED! 🎭

SLIDE 1 --> The original poster, accompannied by 'Deep and Meaningful', written and performed, of course, by Young People.

SLIDE 2 --> A page from the original script 🎭

And if Shopfront has made your life a little more "deep and meaningful", we want to hear from you.

📹 Send us a landscape video telling us what Shopfront means to you! [email protected]

50 years of Shopfront. Countless people. So many stories. And somehow, the Spirit is still here. ❤️

14/08/2026

Earlier today, Shopfront co-founder Errol Bray passed away. As Shakespeare’s Hamlet puts it, he has gone to “the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns”.

Recently, Errol reflected on his time at Shopfront, saying, “I look back at Shopfront as the best time of my life.”

He leaves behind a legacy that spans generations of Young People, artists and arts workers whose lives were shaped by his unwavering belief in the creativity, intelligence and potential of Young People.

Thank you Errol.

12/08/2026

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY!!! 🗣️🎭

Today, we’re celebrating Young People — their ideas, their voices, their sparks of creativity, and their refusal to stay in the box.

Keep being you. We like it that way. 💥

📸 Image by Lucy Parakhina

11/08/2026

50 HOURS. 50 YEARS. $50,000. 😵‍💫🎭

Shopfront is turning 50, and we’ve decided the most reasonable way to celebrate is with a 50 HOUR ACT-A-THON!!!

Many moons ago, Shopfront was about to lose its building. So our Young People did what Young People do best: they said absolutely not. They rallied the community, raised the money to buy the building — and pulled off an act-a-thon to help make it happen.

And look where we are now. 👀

So, for our 50th birthday, we’re doing it all over again.

From Saturday 10 October – Monday 12 October, we’re filling Shopfront with 50 hours of performances, creativity, chaos and a very irresponsible amount of caffeine — all to raise $50,000.

🎭 WANT TO PERFORM?
We want it all. Theatre, music, dance, film, comedy, magic, staged readings, works-in-progress… if you can perform it, we want to hear about it. And you don’t even have to be there in person — you can pre-record something for us to screen or livestream your performance straight into the act—-thon!

💸 WANT TO DONATE?
You absolutely can. Help us hit $50,000 and beyond — and with our matching campaign, your donation can go even further. givenow.com.au/actathon-matching

Help us turn 50 years into the next 50.

🔗 EOIs are OPEN now https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6CD0RnzPum1nyPtyTFxsxHdzHb9_Zgc6oq04XNZtzDMgRRg/viewform
❓ Questions? Email [email protected]

50 HOURS. 50 YEARS. LET’S DO THIS. 🎭

01/08/2026

Not to be dramatic…

…but we’re about to fill the Sydney Opera House with the coolest people we know.

Registrations are OPEN for Shopfront’s Youth-Led Conference.

A full day of workshops, installations, panels and creative conversations led by and for Young People.

🎟️ Link in bio.

31/07/2026

Oh my! July!

28/07/2026

TERM 3 CRASH COURSE IS OPEN

Learn how to take a tumble without getting hurt! Led by actor, fight choreographer and professional wrestler Diego Retamales, this Crash Course will teach you the basics of how to look dangerous while being safe as can be. This workshop will help you learn about control, safety and how to work as a team to pull off the great theatrical illusion of violence.

📅 Fridays, 4:30–6pm (August 14th–September 4th)
🎟️ ENROL NOW https://www.shopfront.org.au/crash-courses
📧 Questions? Email [email protected]

📸 Image by Joshua Morris