PRESS RELEASE: EDUCATION CHANGEMAKERS YOUTH INC. LAUNCH THE DEBUT FESTIVAL OF THE UNEXPECTED
A bold new multi-sensory event redefining what education can be
Festival of the Unexpected | Presented by Youth Inc.
Wednesday 17 June, 3PM-7PM
Drop in anytime
Youth Inc. City Campus, 200 Pulteney Street
Tarndanya, Adelaide | Free Entry, Registration Essential
Youth Inc. is proud to announce the debut of Festival of the Unexpected, a bold new immersive event that reimagines what an education experience can look and feel like. For one afternoon, Youth Inc.’s City Campus will be transformed into a living storyworld of creativity, agency, and hands-on learning – a first-of-its-kind event in South Australia’s education landscape.
Imagined and designed by young people, the Festival invites visitors to step inside a series of immersive, multi-sensory environments that blend installation, performance, and real-world project work. The event is open to everyone – young people, families, educators, community members, and anyone curious about new approaches to learning and youth development.
At Youth Inc., we don’t do subjects, classes, or classrooms. Instead, our Learning Model is built on practical, flexible pathways with SACE and further education outcomes, supported by wellbeing, identity development, and personal agency. Festival of the Unexpected offers a vertical slice of this model – a chance to witness creativity and collaboration in a very human-centric approach to education.
To bring this ambitious debut to life, Youth Inc. has appointed Emma O’Neill as Creative Producer. A respected performance-practice veteran with experience across theatre, opera, and screen, Emma is working closely with students to elevate their projects, amplify their ideas, and shape each installation into a cohesive, multi-sensory journey. Her leadership ensures the Festival is artistically rigorous while remaining deeply rooted in youth voice and agency.
“Festival of the Unexpected is our invitation to experience Youth Inc. in action,” said Fred Heidt, Executive Principal of Youth Inc. “This is not a traditional open day or a guided tour. This event is an opportunity to truly understand what Youth Inc. is all about: a creative enterprise where learning is real, unexpected, and future-focused, empowering young people with the skills and confidence to thrive in a changing world.”
Visitors can expect a choose-your-own-journey through sound, light, texture, and movement, with student-designed installations, hands-on builds, creative challenges, and opportunities to meet the Youth Inc. Team. Complimentary refreshments will be available throughout the event.
With Term 3 enrolments now open, the Festival is also a low-pressure way for young people and families to explore whether Youth Inc. could be the right next step. It’s also a vibrant creative experience in its own right – open to anyone who wants to see what innovative learning can look like. All are welcome.
To learn more about Festival of the Unexpected, Youth Inc.’s Learning Model, or enrolment pathways, please visit youthinc.sa.edu.au or contact our media team.
To book your free registration for the Festival, head to: https://events.humanitix.com/unexpected
Media Contact:
Patrick Lang
Head of Marketing
[email protected]
0405 379 436
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
