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Two arts organisations that focus on stimulating the creativity and imagination of Western Australia's youth are merging to increase their impact and expand their reach.

AWESOME Arts Australia Limited, a not-for-profit contemporary arts company for young people, will merge with the Barking Gecko Theatre Company, another organisation that focuses on Western Australian youth.

The State Government supports the merger and will maintain the combined annual funding of $954,000 through the Arts Organisations Investment Program to the new entity, to be known as Barking Gecko Arts from January 2025.

The merger was announced at the launch of the 2024 AWESOME International Arts Festival for Bright Young Things which offers high-quality arts experiences for young people and their families.

The 2024 festival, which runs from 24 to 28 September, will be held across five vibrant hubs: the Perth Cultural Centre, Yagan Square, Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre and the Wiluna Youth Centre.

Barking Gecko Theatre staged the first AWESOME International Arts Festival in 1996, so the merger brings the two organisations back to their origins.

The huge success of the festival presented an opportunity to form a new organisation focused on expanding access to the arts for young people across the State.

Barking Gecko Arts will continue to deliver extraordinary experiences that entertain, nourish, and inspire young minds while preparing them for the future with critical skills like creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.