Our social enterprise and entrepreneurship learning is designed for at-risk youth disengaged from mainstream education. Using a scaffolded approach, we build foundational skills step-by-step, supporting young people to gain essential business knowledge, from basic financial literacy and numeracy to goal setting to problem-solving and creative thinking. Through hands-on experiences and tailored mentorship, participants engage in workshops that focus on ideas for building sustainable businesses, developing future thinking, and creating pathways for long-term personal and community belonging and growth.
In 2023 Testimony Arts began the pilot for building and establishing a youth-led social enterprise model in Maryborough, QLD. In partnership with local Maryborough Men’s Shed, a group of young men, artists, youth facilitators and volunteer retired trades mentors co-designed and built the inaugural CISERR Art Market Truck.
The Testimony Arts “Art Market Truck” is a mobile art studio and marketplace that brings local creativity directly to communities. Showcasing work by our participants and emerging young artists, it provides a unique platform to showcase and sell their creations, gain exposure, and connect with the community and audiences. More than just an art market, it’s a traveling hub of creative expression and community engagement.
The Art Market Truck also serves as a skills training platform for young people interested in business operations. By working with the social enterprise aspect of the van, they gain hands-on experience in customer service, sales, inventory management, and event coordination. This real-world training helps participants to develop valuable skills in communication, teamwork, and financial literacy. Opening practical pathways toward future employment and entrepreneurship in a supportive, community-centred setting.
Mobile Art Studio & Marketplace: Brings local art directly to communities, showcasing young artists’ work.
Sales Platform for Young Artists: Provides a venue for emerging artists and product makers to sell their creations, gain exposure and connect with audiences.
Skills Training for Business Operations: Offers hands-on experience in customer service, sales, inventory management and event coordination.
Pathways to Employment & Entrepreneurship: Equips young people with essential skills in communication, teamwork, and functional numeracy & literacy.
Community Engagement Hub: Acts as a traveling space for creative expression, skill-building, and community connection.