Right now 12,116 children are urgently waiting for sponsors.

Our Programs
- Literacy programs
  Providing resources and support to help children living with disadvantage achieve the required reading standard.
- Technology programs
  Providing children and young people living with disadvantage with the critical skills, access, and equipment they need.
- Numeracy programs
  We support early years educators and community professionals in building foundational math skills in children under their care.
- Learning for Life
  Learning for Life is an innovative, evidence-based program that supports students throughout their education to achieve positive long-term outcomes for young people experiencing disadvantage.
- Mentoring programs
  Mentoring programs for students living with disadvantage that provide the encouragement they need to build aspirations for their future.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs
  Our work engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in learning through education, life skills and role models, promoting culturally responsive practice.
Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs
Get Involved
- Ways to fundraise
  Learn about fundraising and give back to the community with The Smith Family.
- Volunteer with us
  Share your skills to help Australian children in need transform their lives through education.
- Partnerships
  Learn how your organisation can partner with The Smith Family and help build a better future for Australian children in need.
- Careers
  We aim to provide a working environment where staff and volunteers have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.
- Events
  Participate in events and activities that support young Australians experiencing disadvantage.
- VIEW Clubs of Australia
  Learn about VIEW, a leading women’s volunteer organisation and support network with over 16,000 members, across Australia.
Ways to Give
- Sponsor a child
  Through child sponsorship, you will be matched to an Australian child in need, helping to support the cost of their school essentials.
- A gift in your will
  Ensure that future generations of Australian children have the support they need to make the most of their education.
- Monthly donation
  Become a monthly donor and provide continual support throughout all stages of a child’s education.
- Philanthropic giving
  Through your philanthropy, you can ensure that young Australians impacted by poverty get the education that all children deserve.
- Single donation
  Your donation will help young Australians in need by providing access to our Learning for Life education support programs.
- Workplace giving
  Making small, regular donations to The Smith Family through Workplace Giving is an easy way to help change the lives of young Australians living in poverty.
Login
Child Sponsorship
Donate now

Budding young artists travel to Sydney to explore creative talents and career paths

02 October 2018

Twelve talented young artists from regional and outer suburban communities in NSW and ACT will travel to Sydney during the October school holidays for a unique opportunity to develop and showcase their art, at a workshop run by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and children’s education charity The Smith Family.

The four-day Bella Momentum workshop, which runs from 8-12 October, is staged twice a year for selected Year 10 and 11 students on The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program who are studying art subjects at school or have a strong interest in artistic pursuits.

The workshop provides an exciting schedule of activities to hone their creative talents, encourage their learning and inspire arts-related career options.

Under the guidance of MCA Artist Educators and exhibiting artists, students will explore a range of creative techniques and mediums, including sculptural works, sketching and printing. Over the four days, they will create a body of artwork and build a portfolio.

At the workshop’s completion on Friday 12 October, students will present their works at a gallery exhibition at the MCA for family and friends.

Year 10 student Kate, who has previously done the workshop, said: “I really enjoyed taking part in the workshop and although exhibiting artwork at the MCA was out of my comfort zone, I learned that I really could do it. In fact, I felt really special doing so.

“In particular, I liked making sculptures and I learned I do want to pursue art after I finish school.”

Kim McClintock, Programs Coordinator at The Smith Family, said: “This workshop provides access to people and experiences these students might not otherwise be exposed to. As well as developing their skills and self-confidence, it can open their eyes to a world of opportunities they didn’t know existed.

“The students come away from the week with a stronger belief in their abilities and a greater understanding of study and career paths offered within the arts sector.”

Now in its sixteenth year, Bella Momentum is a collaboration between The Smith Family, MCA, Perpetual and Macquarie Group Foundation.

Media Enquiries: Media Advisor – Lisa Harmer | 0466 955 633 | lisa.harmer@thesmithfamily.com.au

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome . For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au