Community Programs
Better Health Network x Linden New Art Experiential Workshops
This project employs play-based art workshops to bring together people with lived experience of mental illness.
Through engagement with a program of arts facilitators, participants explore new artistic techniques, develop skills, and create new artworks weekly. The program provides a pathway for creative self-expression, supports personal recovery, and fosters personal relationships and new community connections.
IMAGE > Better Health Network Print Making Workshop, 2024. Photograph: Shelley Xue.
Teen Art Photography Project (TAPP)
This photography workshop allows participants to enhance their skills, explore film and digital photography, and be inspired by professional
artists.
TAPP is participant-led, encouraging play-based creativity and skill-building. Through photography, participants explore visual
storytelling, develop their artistic voices, and embrace the unique surroundings of St Kilda. The program fosters self-discovery,
connection, and personal growth, helping participants build lasting friendships and unlock their artistic potential. TAPP is a platform for
self-expression and empowerment.
IMAGE > TAPP Analogue Photography Workshop, 2024. Photograph: (Nur)Aishah Kenton.
Brave Young Artists
Brave Young Artists is a holiday art-making program for children aged 6–10, designed to nurture their creative development and deliver an
exhibition outcome.
Over five days, participants explore various forms of art, meet artists, curators, and art professionals, gaining insight into how an art gallery functions. On the final day, the young artists proudly showcase their work in an exhibition for family and friends, celebrating their creativity and achievements.
IMAGE
> Brave Young Artists holiday program, 2024. Photograph: Shelley Xue.
Art Packs: Park Towers
Recognising that coming to the gallery can be a barrier for some families, we bring the art to them. Our art and craft activity packs,
designed for primary school-aged children living in Park Towers, South Melbourne, offer daily opportunities for creative play. These
packs help address the complex challenges some families face, ensuring that art remains accessible and inclusive for everyone.
IMAGE
> Art Packs: Making Little Bathroom Figures, 2022. Photograph: Shelley Xue.
Postcard Show Social Partnerships
By removing financial barriers, we make it possible for individuals in precarious or marginalised circumstances to participate in the
Postcard Show. This is an act of community care and social inclusion. Through several partner organisations we reach out to amplify the
voices of many, creating a platform for self-expression and shared stories.
IMAGE
> Opening of Linden Postcard Show 2023-24, 2023. Photograph: (Nur)Aishah Kenton.
Play Space
Play Space is an exhibition-responsive program that centres children and play, offering an independent arts activity within the Gallery
for everyone. This flexible and inclusive environment provides opportunities to explore creativity, experiment with various art
materials, and connect with contemporary art in a relaxed and welcoming setting, turning the gallery into a site where you both view and
make art. It also aims to deconstruct age-based values, demonstrating that all forms of expression are equal.
IMAGE
> Participants engage in Design In Motion, Design Fringe, 2024. Photograph: J Forsyth.
THE LINDEN BREEZEWAY
The Linden Breezeway is a dedicated space for local engagement, bringing together various community groups, residents, and our volunteer
team to share creative ideas and stories.
We take pride in being an active member of our local community. The Breezeway serves as a safe and supportive environment for all creative visions. The Linden Breezeway celebrates overlooked spaces in our lives, demonstrating how creativity and collaboration can transform them into places of expression and discussion.
IMAGE > Opening of Brave Young Artists, 2024. Photograph: Shelley Xue.