Create Initiative

“The Create program combines publishing elements such as editing and design, as well as life skills like navigating the city, public speaking and working in a professional environment. The growth I see during the week, and after they go home is amazing”.

‍Tictac Moore, Programs Manager

The schedule

The Create Initiative is an intensive writing and illustration workshop where students plan, write and illustrate a story in one week. This is done with the help of mentors, ILF staff and a publishing partner. Traditionally, publishing a book is a long process – often up to 2 years! – so to make a book in a week is an astonishing achievement.

Pamela Lofts Bequest

“The Pamela Lofts Bequest Program is important because it can lead to career pathways to help not only these First Nations young people but also their Communities. It's been amazing to see them work so passionately towards a project that they presented at the end of the week, using skills that they've been taught over the five days."

Josie Lardy, Regional Coordinator

About the workshop

The Pamela Lofts Bequest workshop is a 5-day workshop that invites a group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth from remote Northern Territory and Western Australia to take part in workshops focusing on storytelling through art. Over the years participants have worked with ILF partners and Ambassadors to further expand their knowledge on storytelling through songs, digital art and different styles  such as watercolour, charcoal and drawings.
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Pamela Lofts (1949‑2012) was a nationally renowned artist and a much‑loved children’s book illustrator. Her very generous bequest to the ILF allowed us to create and continue this very unique and special program, which has been running since 2014.