Our partnership with the aspiring artists of Mount Lawley Senior High School

We’re excited to announce a new partnership with Mount Lawley Senior High School, designed to support the next generation of arts professionals in Western Australia. Through the Creative Pathways program, students from Years 7 to 12 will gain hands-on experience and connect with industry mentors, setting them on the path to careers in the arts, both locally and internationally.

This collaboration will provide students with unique access to internships, training and behind-the-scenes insights into the inner workings of Perth Festival. Louisa Norman, our Engagement Manager, highlights the significance of this collaboration:

'We are deeply committed to finding ways to connect with aspiring arts students and young people in Western Australia. I know firsthand the positive impact that the arts can have when embedded in the lives of young people.'

A key feature of the Creative Pathways partnership is its vocational focus. This initiative will give students not only valuable exposure to creative fields but also practical experience that aligns with industry needs. 'What is most exciting about this new partnership is that the focus is vocational and will create very real learning opportunities and work experience for our most engaged young people,' Norman adds. 'I can’t wait to see the Year 7 students of today as future stage managers, actors, directors, or lighting designers in a future Perth Festival show.'

Mount Lawley Senior High School has a long-standing reputation as a leading arts institution, producing alumni who have gone on to make significant contributions to the arts, including Alex Williams, Kevin Penkin, Dacre Montgomery, and Grace Sanders. Moya Thomas, Specialist Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator at Mount Lawley, expressed her enthusiasm for the new partnership: 'Our students from Year 7 to Year 12 already have a deep connection to the arts here in WA, and over time, a number of them go on to study at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). We believe that this new partnership will help those students find an inspiring career that works for them while also building the important practical skills they need to join the arts and culture economy.'

The Creative Pathways program complements the existing Specialist Visual and Performing Arts (SVAPA) program at Mount Lawley, a rigorous three-year course available to students from Year 6 that immerses them in multiple arts disciplines. Many SVAPA students continue on to complete a Certificate II in Creative Industries during Years 11 and 12, offering them a well-rounded foundation in the arts and a clear pipeline into professional opportunities.

Set to launch with Perth Festival 2025, the Creative Pathways partnership represents a significant step forward in fostering the arts in WA, ensuring that young talent can explore their passions with real-world experience and mentorship. For students at Mount Lawley Senior High School, this collaboration offers a unique opportunity to transform their artistic aspirations into fulfilling careers in the arts industry.

 

Image credit: Mount Lawley Senior High School