AWESOME Schools

Deep creative partnerships that enrich students, teachers, and communities.

Now part of Barking Gecko Arts, AWESOME Schools is a targeted creative residency program designed to support students and educators in disadvantaged schools, amplify the voices of young people, and respond to each community’s unique strengths and needs.

Launched by AWESOME Arts in 2023, this program builds meaningful, long-term relationships with participating schools. AWESOME Schools partners with metro and regional schools to deliver four-week residencies (or 20 workshops) with the same group of students, allowing for deep engagement and transformative creative outcomes.

Each residency is co-designed with the school through a Strategic Partnership Plan, with school leaders identifying students and setting clear learning and wellbeing goals for the residency. Teaching artists are then able to shape their work in response to students’ interests, talents, and community context, nurturing confidence, creativity, and connection.

As the program continues under Barking Gecko Arts, AWESOME Schools carries forward a strong legacy of meaningful, place-based arts experiences for children in WA.

Participants create work that is exhibited in the AWESOME Festival and brings the students as young professional artists into the city to celebrate their creations with the wider Perth community.

If your school or community group would like to know more about the AWESOME Schools program, please email learning@barkinggecko.com.au