Express Media

Express Media is an Australian not-for-profit youth arts organisation, founded in 1985. Originally called Express Australia,[1] the organisation is currently listed on the Register of Cultural Organisations. It presents an annual program of special events, workshops, awards and artistic projects throughout the year, to generate opportunities for young and emerging artists. The flagship publication is Voiceworks. In 2005, John Marsden (writer) became, and remains, the principal patron of Express Media supporting an annual prize encouraging creative literary work by young people.

In 1988 Express Media began publishing a newsletter, both to promote the organisation’s program of workshops and as a forum for youth and media issues. The newsletter was called Voiceworks and it was launched by then Prime Minister Bob Hawke and music journalist Ian “Molly” Meldrum. In the ‘90s, Voiceworks grew into a quarterly magazine, expanding its content to include poetry, short fiction, articles, opinion and illustration contributed by under 25s. Prominent alumni such as Benjamin Law, Liam Pieper, Anna Krien, Hannah Kent, Tom Doig, Lili Wilkinson, Justin Heazlewood and Van Badham have gone on to have a significant impact in the Australian literary, artistic and political landscapes. The magazine has remained in print form and has continued to develop into a well-respected and sophisticated literary journal. In 2015, Voiceworks celebrated its 100th issue.

In response to the need for development opportunities and professional pathways for arts and cultural critics, 1997 saw the launch of Express Media’s Buzzcuts program. In partnership with literary and arts festivals around the country, the program was developed in order to give young journalists experience working with an editor, publication opportunities and exposure to the world of professional arts reviewing and cultural criticism.

Following the success of Express Media’s Make It Up Zine Fair and in response to the burgeoning youth and emerging literary scene in Melbourne, in 2004 Express Media held a two-day series of panels, readings, performances and workshops featuring ‘the best Australian writers you haven’t heard of yet’. This event was the inaugural Emerging Writers’ Festival. While the festival found a strong audience and independence, the two organisations continue to have strong ties and Express Media alumni as well as young writers engaged in our programs feature heavily within the festival each year.

In 2005, John Marsden became, and remains, the principal patron of Express Media supporting an annual prize encouraging creative literary work by young people. The patronage of an immensely popular and internationally recognised author has been invaluable in assisting Express Media to encourage and develop the creative skills of young writers, by significantly extending the reach and impact of our programs.

In 2010, Express Media became a resident organisation of The Wheeler Centre, as part of Melbourne’s UNESCO designation as a City of Literature.

Since that time, Express Media has nurtured countless innovative new projects and lead initiatives including the Write In Your Face Grants, The Young Writers Innovation Prize, The New Voices Poetry Series, The Under Age, The Signal Express, The Global Express and Dialect, Hologram, Buzzcuts as well as continuing to produce their flagship publication, Voiceworks.[2]