Young Geraldton problem solver passionate about the arts named a finalist in WA Youth Awards

A Geraldton systems analyst is among the list of talented young guns nominated for a WA Youth Award.

Joel Pearson, 18, has been named a finalist in the Youth Futures Innovation for a Sustainable Future category after being nominated for the award by Euphorium co-founder Julian Canny.

Gifted with a knack for problem solving, Mr Pearson stepped in to help Euphorium create new onboarding systems to streamline how the creative organisation trained new staff members and volunteers.

Mr Pearson has since shared these tools with arts organisations across WA and he is co-designing an easy-to-use operating system to address the specific needs of regional and remote arts and community organisations.

Dabbling in circus performance, dance and the visual arts over the years, Mr Pearson said he also enjoyed working in the background to help other artists succeed.

“I just know the impact that the arts has had on me personally and anything I can do to enable people to do what they want to is a bonus,” he said.

“I am in an enabling position in my job, so I don’t always do the front-end delivery but I make sure that everyone else can.

“I focus on making administration more efficient, meaning that we have more resources to do events and arts programming and the fun stuff.”

Grateful for the nomination, Mr Pearson said recognising the achievements of WA youth would help inspire other young movers and shakers.

“It is important to inspire more people to actually go and take steps to make change, because if no one takes steps, there will be no change,” he said.

“It’s also an opportunity for sharing what you have done in the hopes that maybe someone else can build on that and take it further than you might have been able to.”

Award winners will be announced at a ceremony at WA Museum Boola Bardip on Friday.