Multicultures Project

The Multicultures Project

“I’ve learnt not to judge people before you meet them” – student participant

Multicultures was a participatory arts and community development program for schools. It involves students, school administration, teachers, parents, local government and community organisations. Multicultures aims to support young people’s development, and create a school and community culture of unity and harmony.

The project involved many partners. D:create’s artistic Director, Deanna Borland-Sentinella was a founding coordinator and faciliator in bringing the project to life.

Core Project Elements

The main success factors or core elements of the Multicultures Project were….

1: Shared philosophy and methodology– For the project to develop depth and breadth over a sustained period developing a shared approach was a vital starting point.

2: Partnership Implementation Team – Shared outcomes were delivered when the project brought together workers from a number of organisations. In this way we were able to meet the agendas of individual organisations and the project as a whole.

3: Programs of Cultural Leadership Development for Young People – Multicultures used creative arts processes to deliver workshop programs for all students (not segregated cultural groups), growing connections and encouraging students to each see themselves as leaders in creating a peaceful, unified community. The following leadership framework was used to underpin the work:   Managing Yourself, Connecting With Others, Making a Difference.

4: Community Connections Program – Multicultures worked actively with the wider community, including parents, teachers, staff, community leaders and community organisations to build strong networks which support young people.

5:  Evaluation – Evaluation was a key element of the project, building an evidence base and credibility for Multicultures activities.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS: Action Research

  1. Are the various components of the project cost-effective?
  2. Are some components more valuable than others?
  3. Can the effective components of the project be replicated elsewhere?
  4. How can the design and implementation of the project components be improved?

RESEARCH QUESTIONS: Pre to Post Project

  1. Has the school culture become more harmonious?
  2. Have the multiple cultures represented within the school become more integrated?
  3. Has the level of participation by students in school activities increased?
  4. Has the level of parent/community engagement with the school increased?
  5. Has the focus on excellence increased?
  6. Has the focus on learning increased?
  7. Has the level of job satisfaction for teachers increased?
“I learnt that I can be someone I want and that it ain’t all about fighting”

streetwise participant

 “Cultural leaders helps kids come out of their comfort zone and show more leadership. It’s a great experience and everybody should be allowed to give it a go.”     – yr11 student

From the teachers surveyed assisting Cultural Leaders:

– 100% recommended that the program be run again.

– 60% teachers said “the program exceeded my expectations- I was amazed at what was achieved!”
“it was the best roll-up of parents for a long time”.

Deputy Principal, Greg Smith

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“The cultural diversity in the room was fantastic and people respected different view points and used them as a spring board for adding their own opinions.” Parent at making pathways forum———————————-“The values Respect, Friendship and Sharing identified by students, are part of every program we develop” – Dr Andrea Baldwin

project reports can be downloaded for more information