A new creative writing program is offering free, fortnightly workshops in Hobart to help young Tasmanians express themselves through hip-hop, poetry and storytelling, according to a report from Pulse Tasmania. The program, called You’re Write, was created by local musician and youth worker Kieran Lonergan and is held at the Youth Arts and Recreation Centre for people aged 12 to 25.
The initiative is funded by Arts Tasmania and aims to fill a gap in Hobart’s creative scene for accessible and culturally relevant programs for young people, Pulse Tasmania reported. Mr Lonergan, who has worked with young people for more than seven years in roles including at homeless shelters, told the outlet that the idea for You’re Write came directly from the youth he worked with who were asking for hip-hop workshops.
Information from the program’s organisers states the workshops are open to all experience levels, from first-time writers to more experienced performers. The sessions are led by Mr Lonergan, who performs as a local hip-hop artist under the name Kiz.
The workshops focus on practical skills like storytelling, songwriting, recording, and performance, as outlined on the program’s website. The stated goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment where participants can build confidence and explore their identity and lived experiences. According to the program’s official information, the sessions will also feature guest artists from across Tasmania and Australia, and aim to help participants build creative connections and learn about opportunities within the music and arts industry.