The Mandurah Performing Arts Centre (MPAC) launched their youth ambassadors program on Thursday night with a VIP tour of the centre.
The event for special guests, patrons and the ambassadors featured live performances, dances and speeches from dignitaries.
Bibbulman Kordas kick started the evening with an impressive traditional Bindjareb dance in the Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery.
Youth engagement officer Kellee Aberg said it was an exciting time for the centre.
“We’re here tonight to launch our young ambassadors program and that’s going to allow us to not only listen to their ideas but actually let them drive the festival and other programs in the centre,” she said.
“They are experts in being young people in this community – they might not be professional artists or experts in visual arts or theatre yet but they are experts in their experiences here.
“Thinking creatively is so important for our young people because they’re the ones going into business, they’re the ones that are going to be saving the environment in the future.”
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MPAC chair and Mandurah mayor Rhys Williams thanked patrons for their contribution to the organisation, which he called “the heart of Mandurah”.
“We’re the first centre in the state to have a youth development plan,” Mr Williams said.
“The staff have embraced the opportunity to support youth and create lots of chances for young people to be in the space and enjoy the space.
“We know that our young people have a real intrinsic link to the arts and it helps them to be able to express themselves and find their very best version of themselves.”
Follow Kaylee Meerton on Twitter via @kayleemeerton.