You’re invited to celebrate the official launch of Wide‑Eyed Wonder Ltd, a new Australian not‑for‑profit organisation dedicated to bringing the joy of live performing arts to disadvantaged and vulnerable children across Australia and around the world.
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At its heart, Wide‑Eyed Wonder believes every child deserves access to the wonder of live performance, from theatre and puppetry to music and dance, to spark imagination, connection, joy, and wonder.
By helping to secure funding and opportunities for performers and arts experiences in communities where access is scarce, Wide‑Eyed Wonder aims to break down barriers and bring wide-eyed wonder into the lives of children who might otherwise miss out.
Our Mission
Wide‑Eyed Wonder exists to improve access to the performing arts for children who are marginalised, overlooked, or facing adversity. The organisation seeks and secures funding to bring performers and creative experiences directly to children – whether in remote communities, slums, hospitals, or schools with limited arts resources.
This work is grounded in the belief that wonder has transformative power – that the delight, surprise, and awe of creative experience can nurture resilience, joy, empathy, and connection in children’s lives.
Meet the Team Behind the Wonder
The organisation is led by a passionate board and creative practitioners, including:
- Elissa Jenkins – Founder & Executive Director: Driven by a deep belief in the power of wonder, Elissa – herself a puppeteer and children’s performer – established Wide‑Eyed Wonder to bring live arts to communities who don’t normally get access to it, inspiring curiosity and joy in every encounter.
- Alexandra McCallum – Board Chair: A writer, performer, and educator who believes wonder opens minds beyond the ordinary.
- Tammy Law, Brett Hansen, Luna Ho, Anna Masci, and Kate Robertson – Board Directors: Each brings unique experience from arts, community engagement, education, therapy, and child development to the mission of accessible creative experiences for children everywhere. Tammy is our Secretary and Kate is our Treasurer.
Together, this team blends lived experience with professional expertise to make Wide‑Eyed Wonder both visionary and impactful.
How You Can Join the Wonder
Wide‑Eyed Wonder invites supporters, donors, volunteers, and artists to join in their mission. Whether you become a wonder funder, apply for wonder funding to bring a performance to your community, or simply follow their story, every contribution helps expand access to moments of joy and wonder.
“Together we’re bringing the wide‑eyed wonder of live performing arts to some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children in Australia and across the world.” — Wide‑Eyed Wonder website mission statement.