Our Kaupapa
Kākano Youth Arts Collective developed from a pilot programme in 2013 as a response to recognising the needs of some of the most vulnerable young people in West Auckland; all of whom have struggled with mainstream education. Since then it has grown and to a hugely successful initiative, and has changed the lives of many young people.
Our Kaupapa
Kākano runs 3 studio sessions a week, and currently has approximately 18 young people in the Collective aged between 12 – 20 years. Kākano works closely with Oranga Tamariki, Police, Alternative Education Providers, Youth Services, and Local Government to collectively address the barriers they face.
Under the guidance of highly experienced tutors, all of whom of practising multi-disciplinary artists, our young people are given the opportunity to develop their art practice, their confidence and their self-worth.
Our young artists are given a taste of many different mediums in order to discover what inspires and works best for them.
In the Collective, there are painters, printmakers, carvers, photographers and aerosol artists.
By using art as a vehicle to harness motivation, we are able to use this as a pathway to develop life skills and work ethic.
We celebrate the amazing work created in our studio with a huge annual exhibition, where our young artists get a chance to shine. All artworks are for sale, with 80% of the proceeds going back to our students.
Alongside studio sessions, Kākano has a strong presence in the wider community, creating murals and artworks for public spaces. These mural projects provide our artists with the opportunity to meet with a client, work to a brief, develop a design, work to a budget, and record the process to show future clients their work.
Through this process the group develops real, tangible skills that can be applied to multiple pathways in the future.
Through our studio sessions and external projects, Kākano creates a learning environment where young people discover how to harness their natural abilities, develop skills and self-discipline in order to forge a better future for themselves. It provides a launch pad, as young people develop confidence, practical skills, self-belief and self-management. Along with authentic hands on learning, they learn to build healthier relationships based on respect and generosity, improve their communication skills, practice public speaking and develop leadership abilities.
Our Achievement
One of the biggest achievements of the Collective is the transitioning of our young people into employment, education and further training. A close partnership with Unitec School of Art and Design has seen some of our young people studying at Foundation, Certificate and Bachelor levels.
All of these young people had been out of mainstream education for a long time – some since they were 12 years old. Young people are supported fully in the transition, as we continue to monitor and support them, liaising with Unitec tutors to ensure their success.
Kākano Youth Arts Collective is a very unique and special programme. We are about so much more than just creating art. We are a whānau, and for many in the group, this is the only place where they can feel supported, safe and free to be themselves.
