The Conscious Club is a social enterprise with a focus on making an impact through social and environmental events. The members, a group of creative entrepreneurs, are artists, graphic designers, photographers, organisers and more. Working as a collective, their diverse skill sets are aimed at empowering people and making the world a better place.
Selina Faimalo is responsible for Operations and Engagement at the Club and says the group of volunteers achieve their vision through collaborations and working together.
“As a collective we hold events like markets, art exhibitions, campaigns, creative workshops and collaborate with aligned organisations to create opportunities to educate awareness around social and ethical issues that we face in today’s society. We also aim to make a sustainable and ethical lifestyle easier and more accessible for the general population and to ultimately improve the health of the planet and for all that inhabit it,” says Selina.
Launched in 2019, The Conscious Club started off small with a market for 15 vendors with 200 people attending. Just the start, within a short time frame the group’s growth and dedication saw the collective hold a Christmas Market for 8000 people.
In 2021, the Conscious Club received more than $10,000 through a grant from the Ara Foundation. The grant was used to hold a pop-up shop for students from the Ara Fashion and Art Departments to showcase their talent and work.
“The pop-up shop was located across the road from the Ara Campus, and we held events to attract students to come by and have a look around. We also helped the exhibiting students to think more about sustainable materials and how to access and utilise sustainable networks in the fashion and art industries. It was an exciting opportunity for many Ara students, as they were able to gallery and then sell their art and fashion designs,” says Selina.
Selina, a founding member of The Conscious Club, works part time at The Ara Institute of Canterbury as an Employability Advisor. She says the role enabled her to find out about the opportunities the Ara Foundation grant provides and also help students with career advice.
“I really enjoy helping others to figure out what they want to do for a career, in particular the prospects for self-employment. I think it’s important that creatives understand there are alternative ways of being financially stable without having to give up your creativity and work in a corporate environment,” says Selina.
For those who are interested in applying for an Ara Foundation grant, Selina says to go for it, but ask for help if you need it.
“If you have a cool idea and it is going to benefit you or others, applying for a grant with the Ara Foundation is a great move. I would recommend asking for help from a tutor or a peer to complete the application and or to take a support person to the presentation component,” says Selina.
Due to New Zealand’s current Red Light Traffic setting, The Conscious Club has put their events and plans for 2022 on hold and will wait for the country to move to Orange to be on the safe side. If you are looking for more info on The Conscious Club you can visit: www.theconsciousclub.co.nz