Eleven young artists from across Australia have set their sights on success, as they commence the 2006 SPARK mentoring program.

SPARK is a national mentorship program that enables young dancers, theatre makers and visual artists to build a career in the arts.

Over the next nine months, the eleven young artists aged between 18 and 26 will take their creative spark and develop it with the expert guidance of an established Australian arts professional.

Rob Kelly, director of Raw Space art gallery and 2006 SPARK mentor, recognises the potential in this group of young emerging artists. “Success in this industry depends not only on having considerable talent, but also having the drive to go with it,” he said.

Rob will mentor Bree Jackson, who has worked hard to establish her promising career in the industry. She will be curating her first exhibition NO 1-324 AND TO BE CONTINUED, at Raw Space Galleries during the mentorship.

Other participants in this year’s SPARK program will focus on producing new languages and cross artform styles in dance, theatre, physical performance, visual arts and new media.

This year’s SPARK participants are theatre makers Talya Chalef (Vic), Olivia Crang (Vic), Catherine Sewell (Vic), Kieran Swan (Qld), Micelle Anderson (WA) and Laura Scrivano (NSW); dancers Deborah Robertson (Vic), Keith Lim (NSW) and Aimee Smith (Qld); visual artist Bree Jackson (Qld); and physical performer Daniel Koerner (Vic).

SPARK Program Manager Bella Sipthorp said that the successful artists were chosen for their vision, creativity and potential.

“What sets these young artists apart is their determination. They are undoubtedly talented, but what make them so potent, so outstanding, is their intent. They are capable of simultaneously having a mind for creativity and a mind for success. It is a rare quality in creative minds,” she said.

SPARK is an initiative of the Young and Emerging Artists fund of the Australia Council for the Arts, and is managed by Youth Arts Queensland (YAQ).