Due to the Global COVID-19 Pandemic our Annual BRIGHTSIDE Program is on hold. If you're interested in BRIGHTSIDE sign up to our mailing list to find out when we'll be back.

BRIGHTSIDE is an artistic mentoring program that pairs up UNSW students with disengaged and at-risk Sydney youth, to inspire and assist them in developing their creative skills, confidence and discover new career pathways. 

Each week young people from the PCYC and UNSW students will take part in artist led workshops to use creativity as a vehicle to foster personal growth and confidence. This mentor program provides professional skill development, leadership and socially engaged and cultural experiences. Have the chance to empower and improve our local communities to benefit a wider group of people in a creative way whilst building upon your own experience and skill development!

How you get involved

STEP 1 - Become an Arc member (it's free!) All volunteers must be Arc members. It takes about 3 minutes to join AND it's FREE! Arc membership also comes with a range of other benefits which you can find out more about here. Click here to join Arc. If you already signed up last year, just go to Arc Reception to get your 2020 Arc sticker and have your membership renewed! 

STEP 2 - Fill in the application form.

STEP 3 - Be Patient. Once you have filled in the application it is reviewed by the Coordinator who will email you as soon as they can with information. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us on artdesign@arc.unsw.edu.au. The Application Form is subject to continuous updates. Like us on Facebook to stay up to date.

Where you’ll be working

This semester you will be working with PCYC Campus Youth, Woolloomooloo. This is walking distance from the Paddington campus, located within the PCYC complex on the corner of Cathedral & Riley Streets.

PCYC Campus Youth is an accredited alternative education program that works with disengaged and at-risk young people. Partnered with TAFE, the program offers an innovative approach to education as well as a Creative Arts program, which focuses on personal development and self-empowerment.

What we aim to do

* Create long lasting mentor and mentee relationships between UNSW Art and Design students and disadvantaged high school youth in a creative environment.

* Build upon UNSW Art and Design students’ professional development, communication, problem solving and leadership skills by providing a creative mentorship opportunity.

* Contribute to the local community and engage in larger national issues of education by facilitating skill acquisition and confidence building opportunities for both mentors and mentees.

* Provide training and direct experience in cultural awareness to produce socially and ethically aware UNSW Art and Design students.

Why we’re doing it.

BRIGHTSIDE aims to address issues pertaining to student disadvantage and educational inequality. The program was born out of frustration with inequalities in an education system that struggles to cater for, or even meaningfully engage with at-risk youth.

For a lot of young people, unstable private lives and other personal circumstances mean access to standard schooling is extremely difficult.

BRIGHTSIDE uses creativity as a vehicle to foster personal growth and confidence. We want to show these young people that learning new skills and completing projects is actually possible and can be a lot of fun.

Additionally, having contact with positive individuals who are completing tertiary education can demystify the process of accessing further education as well as inspire them to continue their educational and vocational training in whatever context.

Your Commitment

As a Brightside mentor you are expected to arrive on time, dressed appropriately and ready to roll call at 1.30pm every Wednesday! Brightside goes for 2 hours, and the hours will fly by! As a Brightside Mentor the main thing we want from you is to engage as best you can with the young people. Bring a smile and a can do attitude and most importantly be yourself!