Acknowledgment of country

Polyglot acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and create, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. For more than 65,000 years, children and families have created and played here, and we are grateful to make our art on this country too.

Us. Here. Now.

Across 2023-2024, Polyglot and The Venny collaborated to empower local children through creative participation.

Us. Here. Now. brings together Polyglot Theatre’s expertise in child-centred co-creation, with the knowledge and deep community connections held by The Venny.

The Venny is a free communal backyard and safe space for children and young people in Kensington, particularly for local families in public housing. Polyglot worked with The Venny in 2022 during the creative development of Pram People, and Us. Here. Now. builds on these connections.

An Us. Here. Now. production photo. A child in a blue and white school uniform and black headscarf flies their tissue paper creation through the air. Photographer: Sarah Walker

The story so far

A key focus for our first year was ensuring that our creative collaboration was safe for everyone. Polyglot artists and The Venny playworkers participated in creative/professional exchange sessions, sharing cultural protocols and trauma-informed frameworks. Together, we delivered 14 creative play workshops, engaging 369 participants.

 

In 2024, we continued exploring identity, collectivity and a sense of ownership of space. Through facilitated creative play and making workshops, the children’s discoveries and creations were shared with the wider community in a public art and performance installation.

 

A short film documenting the project was created, and screened at Fed Square for Children’s Week 2024. This was an exciting opportunity for the experiences of local children to take centre stage in the heart of Melbourne.

Us. Here. Now. upholds our shared commitment that the child is equal in the collaborative space, and acknowledges the power of the child as playful expert.

 

 

Us. Here. Now. is supported by the City of Melbourne through the Arts and Creative Investment Partnership fund.

All photography by Sarah Walker.

The Venny website
  • Colourful tangle blowing in the wind adding a new layer of story to these places that already hold so much love and joy. Seeing the pride spread across their faces as they did show and tell of their special spots.

    Lauren Swain, Generator artist, on a resonating image

  • The child who stayed working on her superhero character long after everyone else disappeared into the backyard. She was completely in the activity. At the end I asked her what her special power was and she said “healing other people”.

    Emily Tomlins, Associate Director, on a resonating image

  • Our session consisted of going over our ritual: ‘today’s map’ [with] our acknowledgment, check-in question, the chair game. Our main activity: creating paths by using our hands/footprints to show each other our favourite places at The Venny… the highlight was listening to why the kids chose their favourite places, how it brings them joy, and what they love most about it.

    Betiel Beyin, Generator artist, on session response and highlights

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