Signal is back with a cutting edge program jam-packed with workshops and events destined to inspire, engage, and entertain the city's next generation of creatives.
Councillor Jennifer Kanis, Future Melbourne (People and Creative City) Committee Chair, said Signal gives young people the opportunity to immerse themselves in a wide range of art forms.
"Signal is a City of Melbourne initiative that gives young people access to safe, supportive and stimulating learning environments while encouraging our city's up and coming creative talents," Cr Kanis said.
With access to Signal's state of the art equipment and professional artists, young people can get involved in a range of projects.
From 1 April, Urban Mesh Workhouse brings professional artists and young people together for an innovative and collaborative project guaranteed to get the creativity flowing. Over six three-day multi art form sessions from April to September, young people aged 13 – 20 years will have the opportunity to co-create works with some of Melbourne's leading projection, hip hop, installation artists to name a few. Their works will be paraded at Urban Mesh Manifestation, a week-long show as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival held 21 September to 9 October.
Signal opens its doors to the city's music lovers, as Youth Radio broadcasters SYN join forces with the Signal FReeZA team to present a series of live and intimate gigs featuring Melbourne's rising talent. Treat your ears to the free gig initiative Hoist by the Tracks and support the city's local bands every third Friday of the month until the end of 2011.
Get on a train and head to Signal for the latest grant-funded workshop, Lost in Transition. Artist Benjamin Cittadini leads a series of collaborative workshops for artists aged 13 – 20 years, using the public transport system as a tool for exploring and mapping 'transition' between suburb and city; young person and adult; and artist and audience. The next workshops are on 12 March and 19 March.
From April 12, the Peeling Workshops give Melbournians the opportunity to recognise and discover the incredible skills and talent of the city's young people. In response to National Youth Week, animation professional Lindsay Cox explores human emotions using shadow screen techniques and stop motion. Peeling will come to life on Signal's innovative multimedia iGlass technology from 22 April.
Proving that one library's trash is an artist's treasure, surplus books will be given new life when Signal teams up with City Library to present Provocative Assemblage, as part of National Youth Week. From 12 April, participants are invited to splice, fold, cut and explore the potential of pages in a series of workshops run by Melbourne's Public Assembly duo, sound and arts professionals Lynda Roberts and Ceri Hann. The bookish results will be displayed at a City Library exhibition launching on 21 April.
Signal is dedicated to giving Melbourne's young people the opportunity to work with professional artists across all art forms. Every year the City of Melbourne offers arts grants up to $20,000 for budding young creatives and for organisations working with young artists, with funding going towards projects held at Signal, like Lost in Transition.
Pencil the application open day into your diary – 16 May.
Signal is located right in the heart of the city: behind Flinders Street Station on Northbank, in the Les Erdi Plaza, at the northern end of Sandridge Bridge, and at the top of Banana Alley.
For details and a full schedule of what's at Signal, visit the website, call (03) 8696 5416 or email.