NAISDA is proud to partner with families on the Central Coast to provide a safe family environment for Developing Artists under eighteen and those who require additional support to complete their studies.
The NAISDA Homestay program was created in 2011 and has been successful in helping many young people adjust to the pressures of moving away from home for the first time to undergo full time study.
Homestay families are accredited through the NAISDA application process and provide a supportive living environment. Developing Artists and their parents enter into an agreement with the Homestay Parents and pay a fortnightly fee for accommodation. NAISDA subsidises the Homestay program and payments to the Homestay families.
Families who engage with the NAISDA Homestay program also partake in cultural events at NAISDA as well as developing a greater understanding of our unique Australian culture through the eyes of tomorrow’s artists.
If you live on the Central Coast and would like further information about how you could become a NAISDA Homestay Parent, please contact the Developing Artist Support Team:
Phone: 1800 117 116 (freecall) or 02 4340 310
Brett and I cannot quite believe how much we have learnt and how much our family has been enriched by our adoption into the NAISDA family.
We have been homestay parents for four years and have had three students live with us over that time. Our students have become part of our family, brothers and sisters to our children. Every family has busy lives – being busy should not be a reason to put off becoming a homestay family. Your students will fit in with your life and routine.
NAISDA is very supportive and will help you and the student with organising transport or whatever other concern you have. We have had the opportunity to learn about Indigenous Australia through our relationship with our students.
We know that it would simply not be possible for us to have the cultural understanding we now have without this relationship. NAISDA has broadened our perspective on Indigenous Australia and also dance. We have had the opportunity to see some really wonderful performances over the last few years and our entire family has developed a love of dance and dance theatre.
Becoming a homestay parents is a wonderful thing to do – for you and your family.
Anne Charlton, Homestay Parent