- AWESOME Arts and Barking Gecko Theatre merge to increase reach and impact
- The merger to deliver more impactful arts experiences, igniting imaginations
- 2024 AWESOME Festival presents a diverse arts program at five locations
Two arts organisations that focus on stimulating the creativity and imagination of Western Australia’s youth are merging to increase their impact and expand their reach.
AWESOME Arts Australia Limited, a not-for-profit contemporary arts company for young people, will merge with the Barking Gecko Theatre Company, another organisation that focuses on Western Australian youth.
The Cook Government supports the merger and will maintain the combined annual funding of $954,000 through the Arts Organisations Investment Program to the new entity, to be known as Barking Gecko Arts from January 2025.
The merger was announced at the launch of the 2024 AWESOME International Arts Festival for Bright Young Things which offers high-quality arts experiences for young people and their families.
The 2024 festival, which runs from 24 to 28 September, will be held across five vibrant hubs: the Perth Cultural Centre, Yagan Square, Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre and the Wiluna Youth Centre.
Barking Gecko Theatre staged the first AWESOME International Arts Festival in 1996, so the merger brings the two organisations back to their origins.
The huge success of the festival presented an opportunity to form a new organisation focused on expanding access to the arts for young people across the State.
Barking Gecko Arts will continue to deliver extraordinary experiences that entertain, nourish, and inspire young minds while preparing them for the future with critical skills like creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
“The State Government welcomes the merger which will unite the strengths of both organisations, building on the world-class theatrical productions of Barking Gecko Theatre and the vibrant, dynamic experiences of AWESOME Arts.
“Bringing these two passionate, aligned organisations back together will expand reach, increase impact, and ensure that all kids have access to life-changing arts experiences, no matter where they live in WA.
“I have no doubt that the combined forces of Barking Gecko and AWESOME Arts, now united under Barking Gecko Arts, will deliver even more impactful experiences, igniting the imaginations and potential of the next generation of Western Australians.
“Since its inception in 1996, the AWESOME Festival has shone as a beacon of artistic excellence and is more than just a festival – it’s a celebration of the limitless creativity and imagination of our young minds.
“With this year’s AWESOME Festival presenting an array of activities spanning film, animation, contemporary dance, visual and street arts, theatre, contemporary music, and new media, there truly is something for everyone, and I encourage all of you to immerse yourselves in the diverse artistic offerings.
“The 2023 festival was an extraordinary success, with 446 free events attracting over 100,000 visitors. The festival partnered with 61 schools, reaching more than 2,400 students and providing over 1000 hours of contact time with professional artists.
“These figures are not just statistics; they represent lives touched, creativity unlocked, and dreams ignited.”
