Madison Eastmond, Murray Pioneer

Recognising his advocacy to make the arts more accessible to young people, especially those living with a disability, local artist, and Riverland Youth Theatre (RYT) artistic director, Sam Wannan has been nominated as a finalist in the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for South Australia.

Mr Wannan received a nomination for the Carclew Creative Achievement Award earlier this month, for his work with neurodivergent artists and organisations in regional areas, such as ActNow Theatre, Tutti Arts, and Carclew, naming him a young achiever who has used his creativity to make an impact in the arts field.

“It’s very exciting and humbling,” Mr Wannan said. “I am just grateful and thankful I am able to work in the regional youth arts (scene).”

“I have been involved in the space since 2017, and it’s working with the young people that keeps me here — I was given the same encouragement, and environment, when I was young, so I just have always wanted to provide that for others.”

With illustration and filmmaking, Mr Wannan has taken the lead in numerous artistic projects over the past few years, while also using his lived experience of disability to empower others and shape a more inclusive art community, including:

• 2022 Carclew Fellowship: Collaborating with Yasmin Gurreeboo, Mr Wannan animated art to support an AC Arts production, while also touring regional South Australia to create and film an upcoming documentary on Tourette syndrome.
• ActNow Theatre digital innovator: Exploring new ways to create interactive digital forum theatre, including an interactive film project.
• Tutti Arts: Leading the Tutti Pom Pom project to explore best practices for working with young neurodivergent and learning-disabled artists, leading to the development of resources to support the wider youth arts industry.
• Illuminart Constellations Project: Illustrating a visual story that was projected onto the Karoonda silo exploring the impact of climate change.
• D’Faces of Youth Arts Inc board member.
• Carclew’s Emerging Creative Producers program mentor.

Continuing his advocacy work with regional arts in the Riverland over the last year as artistic director of RYT, Mr Wannan said he had “loved being part of an organisation that provides such direct care to young people, and their mental health and wellbeing”.

“Of course, the big projects and shows are super rewarding, however, the little day-to-day things, like being able to provide a space for local youth to be creative, is what it’s really about,” he said.

“We have a really relaxed and open environment (here at RYT), and there is no pressure to produce (artistic) outcomes — it’s just great to see people embrace being creative, and seeing what that means for them.”

“With how under-resourced (a lot of services and programs are) for the youth in regional areas, it’s important to have a space like this and see what an arts organisation can do for a community.”

“I can’t wait to continue all the fantastic work that was set up by (RYT associate artist) Fleur (Kilpatrick).”

RYT youth members Axel Lochert and Zelda Edwards said Mr Wannan had been key in developing the local arts organisation “to something more just a theatre company”.

“There is a wider focus on art which is great, because it allows us to expand on what we are able to do,” Axel said. “There was no real access to community or the arts in the Riverland before RYT.”

“RYT also works really hard to make it accessible and accepting to young people in the Riverland.”

“I love having RYT — it’s great to have a space to be creative, without expectations, and where you can just be you.”

Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala Presentation Dinner, to be held at Hilton Adelaide, on Saturday 14 June.

For more information, visit the website (awardsaustralia.com/youngachieverawards/).

For more information on RYT, follow the Facebook page, or visit the website (ryt.org.au).

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 7 May 2025.