Young artists making a difference
16 October 2006
The Australia Council for the Arts has honoured three young artsworkers with awards for outstanding leadership and contribution to the advancement of community arts and culture.
The awards worth $10,000 each were presented today to Mr Khaled Abdulwahab (VIC) and Ms Claudia Chidiac (NSW) and Ms Lenine Bourke (QLD). Khaled and Claudia received Australia Council for the Arts Young Leaders Awards, and Lenine received the inaugural Kirk Robson Award.
The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of young Australian artists and artsworkers, up to the age of 30, who work with communities to produce art that addresses social issues.
The Australia Council’s Community Partnerships Committee chair Tim O’Loughlin said: ‘I congratulate this year’s recipients for the exemplary work they are doing with communities, which is making a significant impact on enriching the lives of Australian’s.
‘The Australia Council is a strong advocate for the advancement of arts leadership and the nurturing of young talent and these awards are a reflection of our enduring commitment,’ Mr O’Loughlin said.
2006 Young Leaders Awards recipients:
Khaled Abdulwahab (VIC) – arrived in Australia as a refugee in 2001 from Eritrea. Since then, Khaled has demonstrated the determination and commitment to become a leader within the community through his mentoring of youth from refugee and multicultural backgrounds. He is a skilled hip-hop artist and founder of a popular group in Melbourne’s music and youth scene – Diafrix.
Claudia Chidiac (NSW) – is a theatre-based artist who works with young people, migrant and refugee communities across western Sydney. Her work has concentrated heavily on the migrant experience, cultural identity and issues that affect young people and communities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
2006 Kirk Robson Award recipient:
Lenine Bourke (QLD) – has demonstrated innovative leadership through her work with socially, culturally and economically diverse communities, with specific focus on young people. Her commitment to working with Indigenous, regional and youth communities exemplifies the qualities and values for which the Kirk Robson Award represents.