Who We Are

Who We Are
AKC was founded in 1994 by a group of friends, artists and supporters.
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Our Story

AKC values the arts and cultural practices which enable children to share their experiences, thoughts, feelings and imaginations so they can connect better to themselves and each other. Our programs focus on working with children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who would otherwise not have the opportunity to learn or be a part of the arts: art, music, dance, drama and other creative pursuits. The AKC team, together with contributing artists and volunteers, utilise their creativity to design programs that deliver on our vision.

Small Beginnings

In 1994, Jo Darvall, David Larwill and Bernie Jones founded Artists for Kids Culture, with the help of a group of artists and friends who wanted to make a positive difference to the lives of children living in inner-Melbourne public housing. Their initial focus was on the kids living at the inner-city commission flats of Collingwood, Prahran and St Kilda. Since then AKC has helped 1000’s of children across Australia take part in joyful, exciting, life-changing, fun and rewarding activities and experiences funded by artists, sponsors and volunteer.

What is Artists for Kids Culture?

AKC runs two programs assisting kids: our Grants program and our own creation, the artsbus.
Our Grants Program gives monetary grants that allow children to sign up for cultural, artistic, musical and educational activities. Our artsbus Program takes arts to kids when they lack access.

AKC maintains close networks with social and community workers, schools and child advocacy groups to understand and meet cultural and creative needs.

Mission and Vision

AKC inspires kids to use the arts to challenge themselves, build belief in their own creativity and improve their wellbeing. We design and create opportunities for a new generation to emerge with creative confidence.

We believe

Children should have the opportunity to take part in art and cultural experiences that will expand their horizons.

Opportunities are important to every child and lead to benefits in both learning and social skills.

Artists Openings

Artist of the Month

Past Auctions

AKC Board

Artists for Kids Culture began with the simple purpose to support kids who would otherwise miss-out.

Ruth Krawat

Director

Ruth Krawat lives and breathes community and has been on the AKC Committee since 2015, taking on a Board position in May 2020. Ruth, with her roots in TV production and a degree in ‘getting the job done’, is well placed on the AKC Board and assists with the important management of this iconic Melbourne organisation. She loves being able to make a difference in many young kids’ lives.

Kylie Greer

Director & Executive Officer

Kylie Greer has a background in theatre and arts management, studying initially at Victorian College of the Arts and has also recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact. For many years her gallery, Brightspace was the hosting gallery for the AKC exhibition, in 2015 she joined the AKC committee and later the board.

Fiona Larwill

Director

Fiona Larwill is the widow of the late David Larwill, a Founder of AKC. “It is a special privilege that we continue the amazing work started by AKC, almost 30 years ago.”

Tom Ward

Director

Tom has been integral part of AKC over the last 5 years. As a Board Member, Tom brings his experience in strategy and design thinking.

Piyush Thakrar

Treasurer & Company Secretary

Caroline Martin

Director

AKC is honoured to welcome Caroline Martin as a Board Member. Caroline Martin is a direct descendant of the Briggs family and Custodian of Boonwurrung Country. Caroline is an experienced Senior Manager and Senior Policy Adviser in a broad range of environments and has been working and consulting in Aboriginal Affairs for more than 30 years.

AKC Committee

AKC stays in contact with all the welfare agencies and community groups who receive AKC funding. It responds quickly and efficiently to fund grant applications and can be depended on as a reliable resource with an efficient administration process. The AKC Board and Committee are committed to helping children and children’s community organisations.

Anne Algar – Mick Bell – Brenda Cooke - Penny Everett - Lena Glass – Kylie Greer – Charlotte Kenny – Ruth Krawat – Fiona Larwill Catalina - Leon Londono – Ché McMahon – Sarah Murphy – Gen Townsend – Tom Ward – Ros Winkler – Felicity Young

Thank you to Lewis Miller, Shivani Pillai and David H Thomas for their amazing contribution as Committee Members over the last eight years, they have recently resigned and will be very much missed for their passion to AKC and laughs at meetings!

Paint it Forward

Small donations make big differences.

For every $50 donated through “Paint it Forward” we will deliver an art pack filled with amazing art materials, ideas and inspiration to a child we know will love the gift and get so much from your contribution.

Reports and Policies

AKC is a not for profit, for purpose organisation. Our Constitution, guides, policies and reports are publicly available.

ACNC

AKC is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission

PBI/DGR

AKC is a Public Benevolent Institution and has Deductible Gift Recipient status

Working with Children

All members of the AKC Committee hold Victorian WWC Certification