Youth Arts Festival 2025: Creativity, Connection, and Confidence
On April 10, 2025, the PCYC Taree came alive with colour, movement, and music for Youth Arts Festival 2025 (YAF25) — an action-packed celebration of self-expression and skill-building during Youth Week.
From the moment doors opened at 10am, the energy was electric. Local young people flocked to the event, eager to dive into a day of hands-on workshops, creative discovery, and community connection — and YAF25 certainly delivered.
The festival offered a wide variety of workshops designed to spark imagination and encourage participation, including:
🎭 Circus Skills with Cicartus — a thrilling, laughter-filled dive into the art of balance, juggling, and movement.
🎤 Search for a Song with Scotty & Matty — where future hitmakers explored the power of lyrics, rhythm, and storytelling through music.
🎬 Performance Skills with Stagemites — helping young people find their voice and stage presence in a supportive, playful environment.
🤸 Freestyle Gymnastics with the PCYC Team — pushing boundaries (and gravity!) in a dynamic blend of parkour and ninja-style obstacle courses.
🎸 Jack the Bread Guy & Saints Care — offering heartfelt insights into life as a local musician, with practical tips on songwriting, gig life, and navigating the creative industries.
With four workshops to choose from, free food, and a warm, welcoming vibe throughout, YAF25 created a space where everyone could find their place — and just be themselves.
A standout success of the day was the powerful presence of local mentors who not only shared their skills but helped spark meaningful conversations about creativity, courage, and community. Their guidance and encouragement played a big role in turning first-time participants into confident creators.
Huge thanks to our partners and supporters — and to every young person who came along, gave it a go, and made the day truly special. Events like YAF25 remind us that when we create safe, vibrant spaces for young people to explore their passions, the ripple effects are endless.
Together, we’re building a future full of possibility, right here on the MidCoast.