Clarence students called on to help shine a light on youth homelessness
Clarence City Council is calling young artists from across the city to create an artwork to raise awareness of youth homelessness.
Coinciding with National Homelessness Week and council’s annual ‘Off the Couch’ event, the art competition is open to secondary school or college-aged students in Clarence, and calls for an original artwork which responds to the theme of: What does (youth) homelessness mean or look like to you?
The winning artist will be supported to format their artwork for use on promotional material for the 2025 ‘Off the Couch’ event.
This opportunity will include a web presence, printed material such as posters and signage around the community, and a banner which will be on display at the event.
The winning artist will be announced at the ‘Off the Couch’ event on 7 August 2024 at Rosny Skate Park and will receive a $500 Artery Gift certificate as a prize.
‘Off the Couch’ is now in its third year, with the event growing in status as it continues to place focus on housing insecurity for young people. The 2021 census figures show that 25 per cent of people experiencing homelessness in Tasmania are aged between 12-24 years old.
Clarence City Council Mayor Brendan Blomeley said the issue of homelessness is an ever-present result of the rising cost of living and increases in rent, property prices and mortgage rates.
“Clarence sadly is not isolated from homelessness, and there are some obvious reminders of people’s circumstances around our city, however youth homelessness is often hidden,” Mayor Blomeley said.
“This event has proved to be one which both brings people together and highlights the issue around housing insecurity,
“By involving young people in the conversation through initiatives like ‘Off the Couch’ and especially this year’s art competition, we hope to bring the problem of youth homelessness out into the open.”
Held at the Rosny Skate Park, ‘Off the Couch’ will again be offering food, hot drinks, music, and activities including a skateboarding competition, and hundreds of dollars’ worth of prizes and giveaways.
Council is partnering with some key service providers and organisations, to hold this event, including Clarence City Council Youth Services, the Youth Network Advisory Group (YNAG), Vinnies – Loui’s Van, Salvos, Mission Australia Youthbeat, Colony47, Jimmy’s Skate and Street, She Shreds, Shelter Tasmania, Centacare Evolve Housing, and Recycle Create Play to deliver programs during the event, as well as providing information and support around the impact of homelessness on young people.
The event is one of several Clarence City Council initiatives aimed at improving responses to the homelessness crisis.
Artworks submitted in the competition could be in the form of painting, drawing, printmaking, digital art, illustration, textiles, or a mixed media piece.
For more information and the competition entry form go to Artwork Competition – Homelessness Week 2024 (jotform.com)
Off the Couch
Wednesday 7 August
2.30pm-4.30pm
Rosny Skate Park