Ongoing
Projects.

Kākano Youth Arts Collective:

This ongoing visual arts programme, was originally set up in 2013 to cater for young people often dealing with multiple and varied challenges in their lives, who often faced uncertain futures.  To be eligible to participate in the collective, participants also had to have some interest in visual art.  Our belief was that if we could tap into this interest and build on it, the young people coming through would gain greater confidence and self-esteem along with developing motivation, focus and self-discipline.  In turn we believed this would offer them more opportunities to become more valued, appreciated and contributing members of the community. 

The programme has grown considerably in the past four years, and now accommodates three groups on three days a week.  In their weekly sessions, participants try out different art mediums and processes, and discover which of these they want to pursue.  In the process of building up a body of artworks, their unique qualities and talents begin to shine through, others commend them for their work and they start to hold their heads higher.   The confidence, focus and skills they develop better prepare them to be ready for other opportunities, whether in training, paid work or further education.  Some of our ‘graduates’ have been accepted into courses in Unitec, to take their skill with visual art further.  Others have become clearer about a possible pathway for them and taken other directions.  One young man recently transitioned into joining an army training programme for instance. 

Some Kākano participants have become skilled at mural art using spray cans, and as a result, Kākano have been requested to undertake many commissions to create mural works, particularly around West Auckland.  Examples of this work can be seen in the Henderson Town Centre, at Olympic Park in New Lynn and around the Ranui shopping centre.

Kākano are supported by Foundation North, Trusts Community Foundation, Henderson-Massey Local Board, Potter Trust, Million Dollar Mission

https://kakanoyouthartscollective.com