University of Tasmania, Australia

meenah mienne
‘bringing young people and artists in the Aboriginal community together to share time, tell stories and make really deadly art’  

The City Project shares the ideas and opinions of Aboriginal children and young people (8-16) and the place and world they live in. Through walking investigations, workshops and one-on-one mentorships with artists and cultural practitioners, meenah mienne dared our young people to:  

• Observe what is and is not youth friendly about their local community;
  
• Dream about the perfect community, city and world;
  
• Create a vision for a child and youth friendly community.  

The works are a culmination of our young people working together with their mentors over a three-month period drawing inspiration from both contemporary and traditional arts and cultural practices and materials.  

The City Project is coordinated by young people for young people under the mentorship and guidance of Aboriginal artists and cultural practitioners. This project is designed for young Aboriginal people to develop the skills required to devise, develop and run their own arts and cultural project.  

meenah mienne offers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people opportunities for creative expression, leadership and provides a safe space where ideas and opinions can be shared. Through one-on-one mentoring, arts activities and special cultural projects, meenah mienne supports intergenerational relationships, targeted community building, role-modelling and literacy skills development through a mentor and ‘buddy’ system for young people who face disadvantage aged 8 - 25. It offers a space for community members to model strong leadership and make a contribution to Aboriginal Arts and Culture.  

meenah mienne is auspiced by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Child Care Association. This project is supported by the Launceston City Council and the Tasmanian Community Fund.  

The Academy Gallery as part of our Community Outreach Program each year displays an exhibition of primary or secondary school artists.  

The Junior Academy brings another sector of the community into the gallery and has had an incredibly positive response.   The Junior Academy Gallery program is designed to attract primary and high school students along with their parents and teachers, into the Academy Gallery.  

Gallery C