Friends of Kriayt Incorporated is a not for profit association in QLD Australia.
The association was put together by the Whitlock family & friends after the Whitlocks ten year stay in Nepal. The organisation is run by a board of family and friends and has two main focus areas.
1. To support Kriayt Social Business in Nepal, helping to offset education costs for at-risk children and provide greater access to education and opportunity for all.
2. Creating Connections through Art in remote and regional communities in Australia to create a sense of belonging, encouraging participation and building stronger, more connected communities.
Creating Connections Through Art
The Australian Art program aims to establish and support inclusive creative groups in remote and regional communities across Australia, bringing women together through art, creativity and shared experiences. The program provides an opportunity for (mostly) women and children of all ages, backgrounds and creative abilities to connect, learn new skills and build meaningful friendships in a welcoming and supportive environment.
The transformative power of inclusive creative groups was discovered through the Whitlock family’s experience living in Nepal for 10 years, where introduced similar programs were embraced within the community. On returning to Australia, the family recognised just how valuable these opportunities for creativity, connection, friendship and inclusion could be for Australian communities, and were inspired to bring this experience home.
By taking creative programs directly into communities where access to regular arts activities can be limited, the aim is to reduce social isolation and create spaces where women feel valued, included and connected. Through making, learning and creating together, participants can build confidence, discover new creative interests and develop lasting community connections.
Friends of Kriayt INC is committed to creating opportunities for people to connect, learn and give back through creativity.
Our programs are led by Board Member and Creative Director Anne Whitlock, who brings more than 20 years of local and international experience in creative teaching and community arts. Our Board works to identify opportunities, build partnerships and raise the funds needed to deliver our approved programs.
Our current creative programs in Australia include:
- Weekly Creative Sessions – bringing inclusive, welcoming creative opportunities to communities across the Sunshine Coast region.
- Creative Tours – taking hands-on creative programs beyond the major centres and into regional and remote Australian communities.
- Creating for Charities – using creativity as a way to give back, such as knitting beanies for hospital oncology wards or creating items specifically requested by community organisations.
Creating with Purpose
Giving back is something Australians have always embraced. At Friends of Kriayt, we believe that creating for charity is most meaningful when it starts with listening.
Creating for Charities – Rather than deciding what items a charity organisation needs, we take the time to connect with them, understand their circumstances and find out what would genuinely be useful. From there, we design creative items that allow people to come together, make something with their own hands and contribute to a worthwhile cause.
Our Creative Sessions are thoughtfully developed classes around a range of arts and crafts that are relevant, enjoyable and popular today, ensuring that participants can learn new skills while enjoying the social connection that comes from creating together.
Share Your Supplies
Have creative supplies you no longer need? Rather than letting them go to waste, reach out to us. We would love to give them a new life by turning them into something meaningful, creative and shared within the community.
Share Your Skills
Are you a teacher, artist or creative practitioner? Or perhaps you simply love to create and would enjoy being part of a positive, welcoming space with others in your community? We would love to hear from you and explore how you could become involved.
Share Your Time
Whether you can donate materials, share your creative skills or simply lend a helping hand, there are many ways to be part of what we do. Together, we can create opportunities for connection, creativity, friendship and inclusion.
Friends of Kriayt INC 2026 Board
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Programs Director
Creative Director
Please reach out to us via email (if you copy and paste please delete the spaces) we appreciate your interest
friendsofkriayt @ gmail . com