Artistic people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds will get an opportunity to showcase their talents and creativity through the Heartlands 2017 Arts Project.

The initiative will provide selected artists with support through workshops, professional development and funding and as well as the opportunity to exhibit their work during Refugee Week in June.

Artists are being sought from a range of art forms including craft, poetry, music, dance, manual arts, design, sculpture and even circus.

Video created by former Heartlands participant Abdul Ibrahim, mentored by professional editor Steve Clark.

Heartlands initially began as a visual art prize in 2010 in conjunction with Multicultural Arts Victoria, sponsored by the Victorian Multicultural Commission.

The project’s primary objective was to increase opportunities for people using an artistic medium from a refugee background. This platform provided positive images and stories of the refugee experience to the wider community annually.

Those interested or know someone who would be interested in applying, can send examples of their work or their portfolio to events@ames.net.au before January 8, 2017.

For further information, visit the Heartlands 2017 Arts Project page.

Sophia Sourris
AMES Australia Staff Writer