BOLD Moves is a series of dance and exercise classes for older Canberrans of migrant backgrounds living in the Gungahlin, Whitlam and Woden regions in the ACT. The project builds on the hugely successful Taylor Mingle program which has been connecting new residents in the North Canberra regions to meet each other, create a sense ...
The Stellar Company
BOLD Moves
GOAL
$19,992
Australia > ACT > Metro and Regional
Field of Interest
- Arts and culture
- Community and economic development
Target Population
- People with a disability, illness or disease
- General population
The Stellar Company
The Stellar Company is a non for profit arts organisation based in the ACT with an 18 year history. We activate professionally produced, quality arts practice through a lens of cultural equity, embedded accessibility, social inclusion and sustainability.
Directed by Liz Lea we have a vision to work in a full inclusive, intercultural and intergenerational capacity to bring the social, physical and mental benefits of arts practice to all members of our community. Our programs reflect the face of Canberra. We run projects that speak to and serve people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds across the ACT, Australia and Asia.
MISSION
To enrich the culture of the ACT and Australia through the mentorship of artists of all abilities, identities, ages and backgrounds and to advocate for the access to and accessibility of Arts in contemporary living.
Vision
We give visibility of those living with mental illness, disability, neurodiversity or experiencing disadvantage by providing a platform to tell their stories through performance.
VALUES
- Excellence – fulfillment of artistic potential
- Diversity – of art forms, artists, ideas, cultures and places
- Connectedness – artistic identity within diverse communities
- Celebration – bringing the creativity and achievement of young emerging artists together into the Nation’s Capital.
- To develop artistic capacity and cultural leadership skills of young artists of all backgrounds and abilities.
- To encourage collaboration across all art forms – music, dance, visual arts, creative writing, film production, and drama.
- To develop and expand artistic networks.
Project Summary
BOLD Moves is a series of dance and exercise classes for older Canberrans of migrant backgrounds living in the Gungahlin, Whitlam and Woden regions in the ACT. The project builds on the hugely successful Taylor Mingle program which has been connecting new residents in the North Canberra regions to meet each other, create a sense of belonging and become more involved in their community.
The Suburban Land Agency and Community Services 1 have been building thriving and sustainable communities since 2009.
In 2024 The Stellar Company partnered with the teams to provide a range of dance and movement taster classes. These proved to be so highly successful we continued the program over 12 more weeks offering exercise, Bollywood and classical Indian classes.
Our Goal:
We want to actively build healthy living and access to arts activities as a priority across our communities. BOLD Moves speaks to changes in movement activities, body image and body positivity, connection, physical and cognitive development and overall well-being. Evidence shows we can make a huge and life changing, life affirming difference for communities.
Who:
The participants hail from North India, Pakistan, Nepal and Afghanistan. Their shared experience is being in a new and very different environment, their families and their bodies. As they speak different languages movement becomes a common language.
Project Outcomes
The North Gungahlin region of the ACT includes the new suburbs of Taylor, Jacka, Moncrieff and Casey. These suburbs have a high percentage of new Australian families (45%) with families mostly having children under the age of 10. The significant cultural groups are from Indian (25%), Nepalese and Pakistani backgrounds. Multi-generational households are common with grandparents visiting on Temporary Visitor Visas and/or aspiring to Permanent Residency in Australia.
The grandparents are often physically isolated to the region due to limited public transport and the inability to drive/access vehicles. They are often socially isolated through language and a lack of networks in a foreign country. They crave connection with others, improved English language skills and an ability to socialise with others.
In 2024 we trialled classes and community members of diverse cultural backgrounds attended and sought for the classes to continue. They saw immediate physical benefit with reduced aches and pains, improved flexibility and balance as well as the social connection and mental wellbeing the classes fostered. Friendships were formed and cross-cultural sharing occurred each week.
The benefit of ongoing classes extends well beyond dance classes. Participants often walk or ride bicycles to attend, increasing their physical activity and health benefits. Both men and women attend, breaking down traditional cultural norms for separate gendered activities and building whole community relationships. This supports social cohesion where cultural norms in home-countries might otherwise be impacted by politics. We believe BOLD Moves to be the first program of it’s kind in Australia.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $40,083
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Suburban Land Agency | $1,650 |
| Libraries ACT room hire in-kind | $3,726 |
| Community Services fee | $12,075 |
| The Stellar Company in kind | $1,640 |
| The Stellar Company fees for First Nations Artist consultation | $1,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Taylor Classes | $4,181 |
| Woden and Taylor Classes | $4,181 |
| Whitlam Classes | $4,182 |
| Venue hire at Taylor | $1,650 |
| 3 assistant teachers | $2,250 |
| Documentation | $350 |
| Liz Lea Director fee - @ $45/hr x 50hrs | $2,250 |
| Marketing design, printing, distribution, Facebook ads and catering | $950 |
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