Australian contemporary artist

Women Together

Safe space for women to connect, create and express themselves

There are times in life when a woman’s world can become smaller. During pregnancy and early motherhood, caring for young children can leave little time for friendships, creativity or sport. Later in life, retirement or major changes in family and work can bring another layer of social isolation. Women Together offers a welcoming space to step outside everyday responsibilities, meet other women and make time for yourself. Through contemporary art, conversation and shared creative experiences, our program brings women together to connect, express themselves and start new friendships.

1. Vision

Women Together is an inclusive creative space where women can reconnect with themselves, build relationships with others and feel a sense of belonging to the community.

Women Together recognises that women’s needs and social connections change throughout life. The program offers an opportunity to pause, create, talk and simply enjoy being a female.

2. Why it matters

Social connection and belonging are important foundations of wellbeing. VicHealth highlights the role of creativity and the arts in bringing people together, strengthening community connection and creating opportunities for participation and belonging. (VicHealth⁠)

For some women, everyday responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain a social network or find time for themselves. Pregnancy, early motherhood, caring responsibilities, changes in employment, retirement or other life transitions can alter established hobbies and social bonds.

Women Together responds by creating a regular, welcoming activity centred not on achievement, but on connection, creativity and time for yourself.

3. Objectives

Women Together aims to:

  • Create opportunities for women to meet and form new social connections.
  • Provide dedicated time for creativity, reflection and self expression.
  • Encourage conversations and sharing between women with different backgrounds and life experiences.
  • Strengthen participants’ sense of belonging within their local community.
  • Reduce barriers to participation by making creative activity accessible and welcoming.
  • Celebrate women’s stories, perspectives and unique voices.
  • Bring opportunities for participants to contribute to a collective artistic project or exhibition.

4. Who it is for

Women Together is designed for women at different stages of life, including:

  • women during pregnancy and early motherhood;
  • single mothers and women with young children 
  • women returning to work or navigating changes in career and family life;
  • women experiencing a change in their social or professional networks;
  • retired women looking for new creative and social connections;
  • women from different cultural backgrounds and generations;
  • women who simply want to make time for themselves.

The program can be tailored to particular communities, age groups, council initiatives or other women supporting organisations needs.

5. Program structure

Women Together combines accessible contemporary art activities fostering conversation and social connection.

Participants may explore:

  • drawing and painting;
  • collage and mixed media;
  • printmaking and screen printing;
  • plain air techniques;
  • personal memories and life stories and bringing them on paper;
  • making collaborative artworks.

No previous artistic experience is required. The emphasis is on participation, experimentation and connection.

Program formats and creative activities can be tailored to the needs of the participating community. Examples available on request.

6. Expected outcomes

Women Together aims to support:

Social connection

Opportunities to meet new people, start friendships and strengthen community networks.

Personal wellbeing

Time away from everyday responsibilities to pause, create, reflect and enjoy a therapeutic shared experience.

Belonging

A welcoming environment where women feel supported, valued and connected to their community.

Creative confidence

Opportunities to experiment with art without the pressure of being “efficient”.

Women’s visibility

A platform for women’s experiences, challenges and stories to become part of a shared creative practice.

Community building

Stronger relationships between women across generations, backgrounds and life stages.

These aims align with Victorian approaches that recognise social connection, inclusion, creativity and community participation as important contributors to wellbeing. Victoria also identifies community-based creative activities as one pathway for supporting people experiencing loneliness or social isolation. (Department of Health Victoria⁠)

7. Partnership opportunities

Women Together can be developed in partnership with:

  • local councils;
  • community centres and neighbourhood houses;
  • libraries and cultural organisations;
  • women’s organisations;
  • universities and educational institutions;
  • health and wellbeing organisations;
  • retirement communities;
  • workplaces and professional networks;
  • arts organisations and galleries.

The program can complement existing community-building, women’s participation and wellbeing initiatives and may be suitable for local council and community grant funding.

VicHealth’s current community funding framework, for example, supports local initiatives that create welcoming neighbourhoods through arts and recreation and strengthen social connection and inclusion. (VicHealth⁠)

8. Bring Women Together to your community

Every community has wonderful women with unique stories. Let’s hear them speak! 

Women Together gives a reason to put everyday responsibilities aside for a while, make something with your own hands, meet other women and have a good time.

Whether developed as a short creative series, a community project or a collective exhibition, the program can be shaped around the women in your community.

Bring Women Together to your community and enjoy the power of creation!