Connect – Create 

 

 

Voices of Women is an award-winning creative storytelling, writing, community workshop, performance and film program for women, and by women. It was created to encourage diverse, multicultural and First Nations women to work together, and with writers, actors and musicians to celebrate and share their stories. We collaborate with women from across all walks of life, across Australia and from cultures across world. Walking together, we learn from each other, challenging prejudice and stereotypes, and find a positive future together.

Since 2018, we have worked with nearly 300 women in workshops and creative circles, across metropolitan and regional NSW and internationally, we have read 1,200 stories, presented 180 stories to audiences through theatre, film and live performance, and employed 80 professional artists.

Together we have produced award-winning films and theatre shows, live readings and podcasts, and co-produce the annual Voices of Women International Short Film and Script Festival. Community voices and collaboration remain at the heart of every project.

Women who may never have considered themselves writers or artists discover they have a voice and a story worth telling. Participants report increased confidence, a stronger sense of belonging, deeper cross-cultural understanding and renewed creative ambition. They leave not only with new creative and personal skills, but with stronger social connections, greater self-belief and the knowledge that their experiences matter and can inspire understanding, empathy and positive social change.

AWARD-WINNING
Voices of Women co-produced The film Entanglement which won the London International Story Prize and several international film awards, was screened across world, and broadcast in Australia on SBS and NITV. Artistic Director Lliane Clarke was awarded the Multicultural NSW Arts and Culture Medal NSW in 2022. The collaborative script devised for Women of the Riverina won the AWGIE (Australian Writers Guild) Award for Community Theatre 2026.

 

WHAT WOMEN SAY :

“It’s so important to tell regional women’s stories and bring people together.” Aunty Cheryl Penrith OAM.

“Today I learned that our creativity is just underneath the surface and instead of being drawn into whatever is happening with other people, it’s really important to stay connected to your own journey,” Dubbo workshop attendee

“Seeing everyone come together, connect through weaving and culture, and hearing that participants left feeling joyful and supported is exactly why we love being involved in these kinds of programs. Thank you again for trusting us to be part of such a meaningful event. We’d absolutely welcome the opportunity to work together again in the future and continue creating opportunities for people to connect through culture, creativity and community.”
Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance, Garlambirla/Coffs Harbour

“I really learnt that I have been suffering under a outdated model of what an artist is – that it has to feel hard and it has to be done on your own and that it can’t be collaborative and it can’t be playful. Actually none of that is true.” Newcastle workshop attendee

“I felt nobody was listening to me! I feel so much better that I’ve shared that story – that I’ve got it out! I feel stronger now.” Wagga Wagga workshop attendee

 

OUR FOUR PILLARS:

1. DIVERSITY: Voices of Women is committed to diverse stories  and diverse actors from all women in Australia, with First Nations women always at the heart.

2. COMMUNITY OWNS THE STORIES: Collaboration fuels all of our activity. Creative and community organisations and collectives work together to create at each stage. All creators are paid for their work and many go on to develop the stories or projects on their own.

3. WORKING WITH ACTORS AND MUSICIANS: Stories are performed in public by emerging and established actors and wrapped in experimental music by Australian composers. Voices of Women also collaborates with women visual artists and visual arts organisations.

4. SHARING THE STORIES IN LOCAL AND SURPRISING VENUES: Our performances are in art galleries, independent performing theatres, in the round, in traverse, in community halls, in outside spaces, unusual, unexpected.

Voices of Women works with First Nations advisors in all Country’s where we make a creative space. We proudly encourage all cultures to contribute to these creative projects.

We acknowledge the Gadigal and Wangal people of the Eora nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we produce and share stories. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.