Calling local young artists and creatives

Your art could live here.

We’re getting ready to move into our new permanent home on the Surf Coast Highway, on the beautiful lands of Wadawurrung Country, and we want local young people to be part of bringing the space to life.

We’re inviting young artists and creatives aged 12 to 25 from across the Surf Coast, Greater Geelong and surrounding communities to share their creativity with us.

A space shaped by young people

Our new centre has been heavily shaped by our Youth Advisory Council, from how the space feels to the colours, textures and design throughout.

Think earthy tones, pops of bright colour, coastal influences and mid century modern details. A space that feels warm, creative, intentional and a little different.

Most importantly, it’s a space for young people. We want it to feel safe, inclusive, welcoming and genuinely shaped by the young people and community around us.

And we think local art and creativity should be part of that.

What kind of creativity?

Pretty much anything you consider creative!

Painting, drawing, illustration, photography, digital art, ceramics, textiles, sculpture, poetry, creative writing, mixed media and plenty more.

There’s no set theme or style your work needs to follow. Your creativity might reflect you, youth, culture or community, take inspiration from the Surf Coast and Greater Geelong, our local environment and landscapes, tell a story, capture a feeling, celebrate something important to you, or simply be something you love creating.

We’d love to showcase original, thoughtful and creative work from local young people, while making sure artwork is safe, inclusive and suitable for a shared youth mental health and wellbeing space.

Your art in our new home

We’re hoping to showcase selected artwork as part of an exhibition at the opening of our new centre in late 2026.

Where possible, we’d love the artists and creatives involved to join us at the opening too. It’s an opportunity for us to showcase their work, celebrate their talent and recognise the young people behind the creativity.

And we hope it doesn’t stop there.

We’d love for selected pieces to remain displayed throughout the centre long term, and potentially permanently, becoming part of our new home and something young people and our community can continue to enjoy.

Of course, this depends on what each artist or creative is comfortable with. If you’d prefer your work to be displayed temporarily, or you’re not sure yet, that’s completely okay. We can talk through what works for you.

A prize pool of up to $600 will also be available across selected artists and participation awards.

Interested in being part of it?

You can put forward something you’ve already created or an idea for something new. You don’t need to have a finished piece ready to submit an Expression of Interest.

Complete our short Youth Artist Call Out Expression of Interest and tell us a little about you and what you create.

Once Expressions of Interest close, we’ll review submissions and get in touch with applicants about the outcome and what happens next.

Expressions of Interest close at 11:59pm, Friday 23 October 2026.

Ready to share your creativity?

Submit your Expression of Interest here via our online form

More information

For more information about eligibility, selection, prizes, artwork display and permissions, check out the Youth Artist Call Out 2026 Terms and Conditions below.

Looking for support? This Expression of Interest is only monitored for the Youth Artist Call Out and is not a way to access mental health or wellbeing support.

If you’re looking for support from headspace Armstrong Creek, contact our team on (03) 5212 9048 or visit the headspace Armstrong Creek website to find out more or make a referral.