Until 12 noon on Thursday 5 September EthicalJobs.com.au are matching your donations to The Torch:
Will you be a Future Dreamer and help 300 First Nations artists envision a new future for themselves?
The latest Closing the Gap report shows that adult incarceration across Australia is increasing. And while most First Nations people will never be involved with the criminal justice system, those who are, are more likely to experience ongoing involvement.
But on a positive note, the report affirmed that First Nations-led community organisations are significantly improving outcomes.
And that’s where The Torch comes in.
The Torch supports First Nations people impacted by incarceration to reclaim cultural connections through art and cultural practices. This cultural connection fosters healing and empowerment, economic elevation, and provides participants a strong sense of purpose. Ultimately, our program supports and encourages artists to envision new pathways for themselves beyond the criminal justice system.
While our program focuses on healing and strengthening through the exploration of culture and art, we also sell and license artwork on behalf of participants through our gallery, online shop and exhibitions. 100% of the sale price of an artwork is forwarded to the artist – we do not charge commission. Sales of artworks, licenses and commissions totalled $1.1M in FY23, and importantly, helped establish economic stability and advancement for participants.
And the data indicates that our program works.
The recidivism rate in Victoria is 53.4% for First Nations people – but for those connected with The Torch for just 1 year, the rate of re-offending is just 18%.
Will you be a Future Dreamer and donate today? Your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
Make Future Dreaming a reality
Future Dreaming 2024 is an exhibition of artworks created by First Nations artists currently incarcerated in Victoria. We have invited participants to envision futures for themselves and create a new artwork inspired by their personal interpretation of “Future Dreaming”.
Some artists dream of returning home, seeing their kids, making amends, and living a new life beyond the prison walls. Others dream of reconnecting with Culture, with Country, of learning from their Elders.
This is the story of my future and my freedom from prison. The meeting place is all the places I will be able to go. It’s surrounded by my family, friends, my partner and new people to come.”
2023 Future Dreaming artist
But mounting an exhibition of 300 artworks by artists incarcerated across Victoria – from Ararat to Beechworth and Sale – is a massive undertaking. And we need your help to make it a reality.
Your gift this week will be matched dollar-for-dollar by EthicalJobs.com.au – your gift will help turn a dream into reality.
My Future Dreaming is about me when I get out of prison and go home back to Country. I want to surround myself with my culture and learn more about it (represented by all the dots surrounding the tree). I want to also put my family tree together (represented by the black and red circles), to find the roots of my heritage. The tree represents me.”
To thank you for your generosity in making Future Dreaming a reality, we will invite each donor – each Future Dreamer – to a special preview of the exhibition ahead of the opening reception. We’ll also send you a First Look preview catalogue of select works in the exhibition.
You are invited to make a tax-deductible donation to turn Future Dreaming into a reality and support incarcerated First Nations artists paint a new future for themselves beyond the bars.
Whatever you donate, EthicalJobs.com.au will match it until we reach $9,000!