Acknowledgement of Country

Ballarat International Foto Biennale acknowledges the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work and create. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and honour the deep traditions of storytelling, culture and connection held by First Nations peoples across Australia.

GroupFoto: Ballarat Foto Youth Council 2026-2027

Make the 2027 Ballarat International Foto Biennale Your Festival

We’re looking for 10 high school students aged 14 to 18 from Ballarat and regional Victoria to join GroupFoto, Ballarat Foto’s new youth council.

Through a series of hands-on workshops across 2026 and 2027, you’ll work with Ballarat Foto staff, artists and mentors to develop a youth photography award in 2026 and a school holiday photography program in 2027.

You’ll receive $250 each year as a thank you for your time and ideas.

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We’re also looking for a volunteer educator to support workshop sessions. Email education@ballaratfoto.org to express your interest.

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale acknowledges the support of the Department of Education, Victoria, through the Strategic Partnerships Program.

What is GroupFoto?

A leadership opportunity for high school students running across 2026 and 2027.

Being a member of GroupFoto looks like:

  • Five hands-on workshops each year (one hour each, with flexible delivery options)
  • Advocating for youth participation in the 2027 festival events program
  • Mentorship from festival staff and artists
  • Insight into how a major arts festival is programmed and delivered
  • Co-delivering a youth photography award in 2026
  • Designing youth-centred events to run during the 2027 September school holidays, and
  • $250 each year as a thank you for your time and ideas.

You’ll also have the chance to support the 2027 education program, including a student exhibition.

What Will You Do?

GroupFoto members will meet for one-hour sessions five times per year (with flexible delivery options). Together, participants will:

  • Share ideas about what young audiences want to see and experience at the 2027 Ballarat International Foto Biennale.
  • Help shape elements of the 2026 youth photography award and 2027 festival public program.
  • Work in collaboration with Ballarat Foto staff to develop and deliver a series of free youth-led events during the September school holidays in 2027.

There is modest funding for up to 10 youth-led events, meaning each GroupFoto member will have the opportunity to develop and support the delivery of an event in the September 2027 school holidays. The event is only limited by the project budget. It might be a workshop, talk, screening, social event or something else.

 

Draft Workshop Schedule

Please note this workshop schedule will be revised in consultation with GroupFoto participants.

2026

June: Introductory session where we’ll get to know each other and begin to plan the 2026 youth photography award.
July: Hands-on photography workshop. Further planning time for the youth photography award.
August: Plan youth photography award ceremony.
September (two sessions): Youth photography award judging and youth photography award ceremony.
December: Optional informal end-of-year gathering. Opportunity to offer feedback about the GroupFoto program.

2027

March: Ballarat Foto to provide update about 2027 Biennale planning. Mindmapping events for September. Capacity/interest in curating education exhibition.
April: Confirm event details for festival program.
May: Event programming update. Hands-on photography workshop.
August: Artist talk with festival artist. Work on run sheets for events in September.
September: Event delivery.
December: Optional informal end-of-year gathering.

Why Apply?

GroupFoto is your chance to go behind the scenes of a major arts festival and help shape how it connects with young people. GroupFoto will support you to:

  • Build leadership and teamwork skills.
  • Develop event planning experience.
  • Connect with artists and industry professionals who can act as referees on applications.
  • Add to your CV.
  • Contribute meaningfully to your community.

You don’t need to be an artist or photographer to apply. We’re looking for participants who value the arts and its role in shaping healthy communities.

Who Should Apply?

Apply for Ballarat Foto’s youth council GroupFoto if you are:

  • A secondary school student aged 14 to 18
  • Based in Ballarat or regional Victoria, and
  • Curious about going behind the scenes of a major festival to shape how it connects with young people.

We welcome applications from students of all backgrounds, abilities and experiences, and can adapt the application process to suit your needs. Please email Education & Public Engagement Coordinator Christine McFetridge at education@ballaratfoto.org or call (+61) 3 5331 4833 to express your interest and discuss how we can best support you.

How to Apply

To apply, you can either:

  • Complete the online form with written responses or by recording yourself responding to them (audio and video files will be accepted, no longer than 5 minutes).
  • Call Ballarat Foto on (+61) 3 5331 4833 and speak with Christine McFetridge over the phone.
  • Contact Christine McFetridge via email or phone to arrange a time to meet at the Ballarat Foto office or on Zoom on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays.

Applications for GroupFoto are open.
Applications close: 11:59 pm, Monday 11 May.
Successful applicants will be notified: Friday 15 May.

Questions?

Contact Education & Public Engagement Coordinator Christine McFetridge at education@ballaratfoto.org or call (+61) 3 5331 4833.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need photography experience?

No. You don’t need to be a photographer to apply. We’re interested in hearing from young people who are curious about the arts and have ideas about creative events that might interest their peers.

Do I need permission from my guardian to participate?

Guardian consent is required for participants under the age of 18.

Do I need permission from my school to participate?

No. GroupFoto: Ballarat Foto Youth Council activities will take place outside of school hours.

Can I apply if I live outside of Ballarat?

Yes. GroupFoto: Ballarat Foto Youth Council is open to students across regional Victoria. Sessions can be delivered online to make participation easier.

Can I still apply if I can’t attend every session?

Yes. We encourage participants to attend as many sessions as possible, but also understand that school, work and other commitments may make attendance difficult at times.

Do I need to participate in 2026 and 2027?

No. While we’d love participants to be available for Group Foto: Ballarat Foto Youth Council across 2026 and 2027, this isn’t essential. Participants have the opportunity to continue working with Ballarat Foto across both years. If this isn’t possible, there will be future opportunities for new participants in 2027.

Can I apply if I am turning 14 this year?

Yes, we welcome applications from young people turning 14 this year.

Can I participate if I am homeschooled?

Home-schooled students can participate if they are registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA).

Will sessions be run in-person?

How sessions will be run will depend on participants’ locations. This program has the capacity to be run in-person, online and/or as hybrid sessions (a combination of in-person and online).

Is the program accessible?

Yes. We aim to make GroupFoto: Ballarat Foto Youth Council accessible to all participants. Please email Education & Public Engagement Coordinator Christine McFetridge at education@ballaratfoto.org or call (+61) 3 5331 4833 if you have access needs and we will work with you to support your participation.