Creative Sparks Projects
for Schools!

The Creative Sparks School Mural Program is a co-creative, place-based initiative that strengthens student engagement by giving young people a visible role in shaping their school environment.

Students work alongside professional artists and facilitators to design and create a large-scale mural that reflects their ideas, identity and school community.

The process builds connection, collaboration and pride - transforming school spaces into shared expressions of student voice and belonging.

The program supports stronger engagement, improved school connection and a more positive school culture, particularly in communities where students have fewer opportunities for creative and mental health participation.

Aligned with school wellbeing and engagement priorities, the program can be tailored in partnership with school leadership and DET area teams to meet the needs of each cohort.

More Than A Pretty Picture.

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Evidence backed Creative Programs

The Creative Sparks School Mural Program directly aligns with Department of Education priorities around student wellbeing, engagement and equity by strengthening the factors that research consistently shows improve student outcomes: connection, belonging and participation.

Evidence from VicHealth (2015) highlights that participation in community-based arts initiatives strengthens social connection and supports mental wellbeing, particularly in disadvantaged communities. Similarly, research published in BMC Public Health (Davies et al., 2016) demonstrates that arts engagement can increase self-esteem, strengthen resilience and reduce risk factors by improving community connectedness.

Creative Sparks Projects translates this evidence into practice through a co-creative, school-based mural program that embeds meaningful participation into the school environment. By giving students a visible role in shaping their surroundings, the program strengthens engagement, reinforces belonging and contributes to more inclusive school cultures where students are more likely to thrive.

This is an evidence-aligned model of youth participation and place-based engagement - delivering outcomes that are both visible in the school environment and measurable in student connection and school culture.

References:

VicHealth. (2015). The art of being mentally healthy: Arts participation and mental wellbeing in the community. https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/media-and-resources/publications/the-art-of-being-mentally-healthy
Davies, C., et al. (2016). The art of being mentally healthy: Community arts and mental health in public health. BMC Public Health, 16, 2672. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-2672-7

Our Project Outline.

Students brainstorm ideas around their story to share and what represents the school to them, from the

Student Voice Workshop

Students have the opportunity to actually contribute to painting the mural alongside professional artists. They see the value in their effort and have ownership over the finished mural.

Student Contribution Workshops

Survey's provided to hear the honest thoughts and feedback from students, teachers, parents and staff on how the Project ran, areas for improvements and feedback on the student experience.

Post-Project Review

Professional artists ensure the finished mural looks amazing for years to come. Small touch ups and final details added to ensure a world-class mural is the end result.

Professionally completed mural.

APPLY HERE

Schools in rural and regional areas or with lower socio-economic families can apply to bring a Schools Creative Sparks Project to your school community.

Apply via the link below.

CONTACT

Creative Sparks Projects for Schools!

Evidence backed Creative Programs

Our Project Outline.

APPLY HERE

Creative Sparks Projects
for Schools!