School of Hard Knocks is an arts and cultural program of Play It Forward. It empowers disadvantaged Australians to participate in the nation’s mainstream cultural life. Bringing together the arts, health, education, welfare, volunteers, the corporate sector and key venue management, the School engages leaders (‘exemplars’) and involves teachers and artists who wish to contribute.
Utilising respected and iconic venues and locales, the School provides high quality arts, cultural and wellbeing programs, creating pathways to enrichment, education and employment for people who are disadvantaged.
The School’s particular focus is to provide education, engagement and respect to Australians experiencing homelessness, disadvantage, long-term unemployment, risk of re-offence, mental health conditions or disability. To this we add opportunities for outstanding public performances and for long-term engagement.