Why our Arts Project rocks!

The success of the Big Issue Arts Project is a shining example of the redemptive power of the arts. The project’s aim is to effect social change, instill self confidence, improve self awareness and personal well being among participants. They are comprised of Big Issue Vendors and their friends, who include members of the Street Soccer Program, the Choir of Hard Knocks, clients of other agencies such as the Living Room, Oznam House, Inner South Community Health Service, St Kilda Drop In Centre and Roomers Writers Network.

The weekly workshops offer people who experience homelessness, substance abuse or disadvantage the opportunity to develop confidence; to connect and make new friends; to develop and extend their creative and artistic expression as well as seek support and advice for the challenging issues that they face in their lives. Several members of the writing group have returned to study; one participant, who came as a referral now sells The Big Issue; another credits his ongoing rehabilitation to his new found relationship to writing and art.

Our vendors and clientele face complex issues of homeless, mental illness and other, but they are a highly motivated group of individuals by necessity. To stand on a street corner regularly requires uncommon tenacity and a tremendous will to overcome adversity.

Their stories and poetry are not just inspirational, but have the strength and power to be devastating critiques of the way our society infringes the rights of its most vulnerable citizens.

“I’ve loved the design element and I’m looking forward to the writing workshops again. I give regular talks to school groups and it will greatly help my presentation skills.”
Aaron, vendor, Street Soccer Player and artist

“My schooling problems and homelessness have  made it hard for me to improve my writing skills, and it was a blessing for this project to come along. My skills have vastly improved”.
Bushy (Street Soccer Player)

“Initially I just went along to the screen printing for the creative outlet, but as usual I really liked the supportive, thoughtful and understanding way the workshops are run. It feels really grass roots which is what people like us really need. It brings out the ability in people to better themselves each week with what they do. Some people are building really great folios of work out of it, and I feel like I’ve developed real skills out of this that can lead to paid work.”
Kylie (Big Issue Vendor and Choir of Hard Knocks)

“The writing workshop has allowed me to approach my life long phobia of speaking words in a constructive, educational and supportive environment…”
Anthony (returned to study)

“I wouldn’t normally go to a writing group…as I would not feel safe and comfortable in expressing my story of difficulty. At the Big Issue writing group anything goes, which is freeing and releasing. As a result of being able to write about my past, it has helped me to continue to heal. ”
(Name supplied)

In these times when mass commercial entertainment rules and media ownership is becoming even more concentrated, it is vital to develop ways that see our individual and community stories, histories and opinions being heard; that we ensure that we see and hear about each other through angles of understanding we create ourselves, not through the angles and images created by people far from our community and lives. This is why we run an Arts Project. To quote Matha Nussbaum, philosopher “Novels open us up to the spectrum of otherwise unavailable human experiences. Exposure to these makes us wiser, more compassionate and more humane.”
Mari Lourey (Playwright and Artisic Coordinator - The Big Issue)

“I feel very lucky to have been able to witness the show tonight. Your stories and wisdom are a complete gift. I’d love to see more.”
Audience member, June ‘08

Can you help?

We are looking for volunteers to be scribes for some of our vendors who are in wheelchairs and who, due to a disability, are unable to write freehand. The task would involve sitting beside the participants – preferable with a laptop - during the writing workshops and assisting with the writing of their stories.
Please contact Mari to discuss it if you are at all interested: mari@bigissue.org.au