Creativity + Relationships = Invigorated Communities

Kickstart Arts is a ground breaking Hobart based performing arts company specialising in Community Cultural Development(CCD). They firmly believe that the spark of imagination and processes of creativity unleashed through individuals and their communities can create a better world. Indeed one of their current objectives is to; “Increase...the understanding of happiness and its root causes in the Tasmanian community.” In December 2009 I felt privileged to experience the culminating performance of one of their latest exciting projects—the fifth part of a six year series of arts projects working with young and “at risk” young people from diverse cultural backgrounds in Southern Tasmania.

Rhythmn + Poetry = Rap

Take a group of young Tasmanian Rap musicians, mix them together with two fine composer/mentors over a year of development, to compose, orchestrate and score music for a twelve piece section of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (TSO), and what you get is Power Hip Hop—three stunning life-filled, live performances at the Peacock Theatre in Hobart.

Totally transfixing right from the start, these exciting new voices cut across genre, race, class, tradition and stereotype to perform stage-front of the tuxedoed and pearled TSO, all in their best rapper baggy jeans and t-shirts.

The music was b…