Culture Dose for Kids is an arts engagement program developed by the Black Dog Institute in collaboration with the Art Gallery of NSW, supporting young people aged 9 – 12 years with mild anxiety*.

After the initial success of the study in 2022, we are delighted to be able to pilot this important program at the new South East Centre for Contemporary Art, Bega (SECCA) this summer.

Engagement with the arts can help young people connect to their feelings, thoughts, and imagination. It can build self-confidence and resilience, foster social connections and improve mental health and well-being.

We are inviting children (aged 9-12) who are experiencing mild anxiety to take part in the 8-week art program in a small group setting at SECCA, beginning from Saturday 18 November until 6 January. Led by experienced Arts Therapist, Ozlem Guler, this fully funded program will provide a safe, structured space for young people and their parents/carers to engage with and respond creatively to artworks in the gallery environment and use hands on creative sessions to explore ways of seeing and interpreting. Accompanying Parents/caregivers will also participate in this calming and engaging program in parallel sessions to build take home strategies.

The program includes morning tea and take home resources.
The program was developed by the Art Gallery of NSW and the Black Dog Institute with the support of the Jibb Foundation.

Who

Who can participate? Young people (with their parent/carer) will be eligible to participate if they:

- Are between the ages of 9 to 12 in primary school
- Are able to travel to the gallery
- You (the parent or caregiver) believe your child experiences mild anxiety*

Please note: numbers are limited for participation in this program and will be limited to those who meet the above criteria.

*Anxiety itself is a normal emotion. However, some young people worry more than others, either through a greater number of worries or more frequent or intense worries. For research purposes in this project, mild anxiety refers to children who worry a little more than their peers but have not been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

When

18 November – 6 January
8 week program on Saturdays 9.30am – 11.30am (2 hrs)

Where
South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA)
Shirley Hannan Project Space
Zingel PlaceBega NSW 2550

Limited to 10 participants and their parent/guardian.