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50 Years Strong: Youth Arts Co-op's 50-Hour Challenge
7 Oct
Summary
- Shopfront Arts Co-op marks 50 years with a 50-hour theatrical endurance fundraiser.
- Founded in 1976, the company has nurtured talent like Hilary Bell and Trevor Ashley.
- Youth members historically saved the company by voting to buy their building.
Shopfront Arts Co-op, Australia's pioneering youth-led arts organization, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with an ambitious 50-hour theatrical endurance fundraiser. This event mirrors past challenges that helped sustain the Sydney-based company through difficult periods. Young artists will engage in a continuous, live performance of their own devised works, streamed for the first time.
Established in 1976, Shopfront has a rich legacy, with notable alumni including playwrights Hilary Bell and Andrew Upton, and performers like Trevor Ashley and Jacki Weaver. The company's history is marked by a unique instance in 1978 when its young members, aged 12 to 18, collectively voted to purchase the building they occupied.
Through innovative fundraisers like act-a-thons and raffles, these young individuals successfully raised a $43,000 deposit, ultimately securing ownership of the building. This commitment to youth agency continues, with young people still influencing the company's direction. Founding member Liz Hill, who joined at age 10, recalled the "political meeting" where the decision to buy the building was made.
Shopfront has consistently provided a vital space for young people, offering acceptance and a voice to diverse youth, including LGBTQ+ individuals, First Nations youth, and those with disabilities. Trevor Ashley, who joined at five, described it as a place where he found his "tribe" and positive role models during challenging times. Current director Nicole Pignon emphasizes that Shopfront is more than a theatre; it's a place for self-discovery and community.
