Over two and a half years, CAN WA’s VOICES of the Wheatbelt explored a sense of place and belonging through photography in the Wheatbelt. With 250 participants taking over 26,000 photographs, this was the largest community arts project undertaken in CAN WA’s 25-year history.

VOICES of the Wheatbelt aimed to empower the communities of the Wheatbelt to develop their individual and group capacities, create awareness of their social and cultural spaces and establish stronger community relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members.

CAN WA facilitated photography workshops in towns across the Wheatbelt. Under the guidance of a professional photographer, school children and adults were provided with digital cameras and taught the basics of photography including composition, framing and effects. Participants then took photographs of their families, friends and towns. People in these communities had the opportunity to engage in the artistic medium of photography and be involved in something creative that also built self-esteem, teamwork and a sense of community.