About Us
Our Story
From the Community. For the Community.
Creative Sparks Projects began in 2021 when founder Kyle BrightSide was engaged to deliver a short-term mural project with young people. What emerged from that first program was not just a finished artwork, but a clear demonstration that creative, community-led processes could significantly strengthen connection, confidence and participation among young people. And re-write how public art can be more than a pretty picture.
In response, Creative Sparks Projects evolved from a single project into a structured organisation delivering school-based and community-led programs across Australia. Each initiative is designed to give young people a meaningful role in shaping the places they live, learn and connect.
Today, Creative Sparks Projects delivers School Mural Programs and community-based StreetLight initiatives that focus on participation, belonging and place-based engagement, particularly in regional, rural and underserved communities.
As a registered Australian charity with DGR1 endorsement, Creative Sparks Projects partners with schools, councils and organisations to deliver evidence-aligned programs that strengthen community connection through youth participation and creative placemaking.
We believe that when young people are given a genuine role in shaping their communities, both they and the places they belong to grow stronger.
More than a pretty picture.
How We Do It
Creative Sparks Projects reconnects young people with their communities through structured, creative participation programs that strengthen belonging, participation and pride in place.
Our work is delivered through a three-tier model designed to create meaningful engagement for young people and visible outcomes for schools and communities.
1
Collaboration
We work in partnership with schools, councils, community groups and young people to co-create projects that reflect local identity and lived experience.
These collaborations result in visible, place-based outcomes that strengthen connection, build pride and create a lasting sense of ownership within the community.
2
Expression
We create structured, supportive creative environments where young people develop ideas, build skills and contribute to the design of visible, place-based projects that reflect their voice and identity.
3
Contribution
Collaborating with young people to share their stories through murals creates a powerful sense of contribution and belonging. This opportunity shows them they have valuable voices and are truly welcomed and needed by their community.
This approach enables Creative Sparks Projects to embed deeply within communities, delivering visible, place-based outcomes that strengthen connection, pride and belonging.
By giving young people a genuine role in shaping their environment, the program builds confidence through contribution and creates lasting change that is shared and valued by the wider community.
The result is stronger, more connected communities where young people are active contributors to the places they call home.
Aussie young people have so much to offer. We just provide an opportunity for their contribution to shine.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create meaningful creative experiences that deeply connect young people to their communities. Through small-group mural projects, we support young people to express their stories, strengthen their wellbeing, and contribute to shaping their community through visual art.
Our Vision
Our vision is for young people across Australia to feel deeply connected to their communities, confident in their voice, and empowered to shape the places they live through meaningful creative expression.
Meet the Team
Creative Sparks Projects is a small but dedicated team seeing to our mission to inspire young people and change the trajectory of their lives.
Founder/ Director
Kyle 'BrightSide' Wakeham
Kyle founded CSP to provide opportunities for young people to become involved in their communities and to really explore creativity and self expression. Kyle has been a professional artist since 2015 and brings years of experience in creativity, business and art to CSP.
Director
Antonie Ng
An experienced content strategist . With a track record working alongside household names including Coca-Cola, Boost Juice and Sports Direct Australia, Ant brings a sharp eye for storytelling and a deep understanding of what makes content connect with audiences. Ant joins the Creative Sparks Projects board to bring his creative and marketing expertise to a cause he genuinely believes in, using art to give young people a voice.
Director
Mark Aidone
Mark previously worked for a fortune 500 company before making the move into the creative sector managing & running several successful management and marketing agencies. Mark brings his years of experience in business, marketing and creativity to CSP.
Secretary/ Director
Cachet Hennequin
A educational professional with over a decade of experience in education. Cachet brings her valuable knowledge of education, curriculum development, student engagement and planning skills to CSP programs.
