What is National Youth Week?

National Youth Week is an annual, week-long celebration for young people (aged 12-25) throughout Australia. It is a joint initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments. National Youth Week 2012 - Imagine. Create. Inspire. will be held from 13 - 22 April 2012. Each year, all over Australia, events are planned and organised to celebrate and recognise the contribution of young people.

The Youth Coalition of the ACT, in partnership with the ACT Government, coordinate National Youth Week in the ACT. Anyone can get involved and we are encouraging all community organisations to consider holding an event or activity for young people during National Youth Week 2012. Events or activities can be held anywhere in Canberra. In the past, National Youth Week activities and events have included:

• Festivals or expos;
• Youth forums;
• Music / concerts
• Cultural and art exhibitions;
• Theatre projects; and
• Sporting events.

National Youth Week 2012 ACT Grant Information: Applications due 8 February 2012

The Youth Coalition of the ACT, in partnership with Youthbeyondblue, the Australian Government and ACT Government, is announcing the ACT National Youth Week 2012 Grants. The ACT National Youth Week 2012 Grants will be available to fund events that recognise the contribution of young people in the ACT to their community. The Grants aim to:

• Promote positive images of ACT’s diverse groups of young people;
• Ensure culturally diverse approaches to youth participation in the planning and development of all National Youth Week activities;
• Acknowledge the common interests of young people as well as their diverse backgrounds and circumstances; (for example, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, multicultural and recently arrived or refugee young people, young people with disability);
• Showcase young people’s diverse talents, contributions and achievements;
• Enable young people to express their ideas and give young people a voice; and,
• Raise awareness of depression and anxiety (if applying for a Youthbeyondblue grant).

Three grant categories are available: General National Youth Week Seeding Grants of up to $1,500; Youthbeyondblue grants of $2,000 each plus one $5000 grant; and, ACT Government School $250 Project Seeding Grants.

Click here to download the National Youth Week ACT Grant Information document.
Click here to download the ACT Seeding Grant Application Form.
Click here to download the Youthbeyondblue Application Form.
Click here to download the ACT Government School Grants Application Form.

For more information about the Grants, contact the ACT National Youth Week Coordinator, Katrina Campion, on (02) 6247 3540 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For more information about National Youth Week, check out the National Youth Week website, www.youthweek.com.

Annual Youth Week Expo in Garema Place: Seeking Expressions of Interest

This annual Expo will be held on Friday 13 April 2012, in Garema Place from 3 - 7pm. It features young performers, artists and musicians; and provides services with the opportunity to hold stalls (services will soon be invited to register to hold a stall). We are currently inviting Expressions of Interest from youth services, schools, youth-led organisations, community groups, information services and stall holders to participate in the Expo.

Click here to download the Information and EOI form for the Expo in PDF.
Click here to download the Information and EOI form for the Expo as a Word document.
Expressions of Interest must be submitted by Wednesday 16 March 2011.

Annual ‘Wearable Art Award’ 2012

National Youth Week, the Youth Coalition of the ACT and the Canberra Centre, invite all artists and fashion designers to show off their talents and win big in the annual ‘Wearable Art Award’. To enter, young people aged 12 - 25 need to design and create an outfit, fill in the entry form, and send 4 photos of their creation to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Monday 30 March 2012. 12 finalists will be selected and will need to drop off their creation to the Canberra Centre Management Office by 5pm on Tuesday 10 or Wednesday 11 April 2012. Finalists will have their creation displayed at the Canberra Centre between Friday 13 – Sunday 22 April 2012. An Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday 20 April 2012.

This year’s theme for National Youth Week and the Wearable Art Award is ‘Imagine. Create. Inspire.’ and there are two great of prizes up for grabs.  The over all winner will receive a $1,000 Canberra Centre Gift Card. The second prize, the ‘Peoples Choice Award’ winner will receive a $500 Canberra Centre Gift Card.

Click here to download the Information Sheet about the Wearable Art Award.
Click here to download the entry form in PDF.
Click here to download the entry form as a Word document.
For more information, contact Nicole Gibson on (02) 6276 4237 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or Katrina Campion on (02) 6247 3540 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .