Creative Spaces Community

WIDance premiered its show, The Art of Observation, in early March 2020, as part of the New Zealand Fringe Festival. They performed at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, at the invitation of its curator Helen Forrest. They performed five shows over three days, all of which were audio described, and two of which were sign interpreted. Keep Reading

Kia ora koutou, creative space leaders and colleagues. As creative space leaders, we know that the health-giving values of social connection and inclusive community, nurtured through art-making in the company of others, are vital to the wellbeing of our artists. Keep Reading

"I can be myself. With dance, there is no right and wrong,” says Christchurch dancer Michael Krammer, a founding member of Jolt in Christchurch and an assistant tutor with Arts Integrated since 2014. Keep Reading

A key aim of the inaugural Creative Spaces Week 2020, running from 17 February through to 23 February, was to raise the visibility of the sector as a network of creative spaces across the country. The hashtag #CreativeSpacesWeek was well-used on social media to highlight the week. Keep Reading

Lyn Cotton, inspired by her work with Amici Dance Theatre Company’s founder and Artistic Director Wolfgang Stange 25 years ago, returned to Christchurch and created Jolt Dance in 2001. Now, five members of the Jolt team will travel to London in May to be part of Amici’s 40th birthday celebrations. Keep Reading

“I like Toi Ora because the atmosphere is creative.  Painting at home just isn’t the same,” says artist Liam O’Halloran. He participates in painting and photography classes each week at Toi Ora Live Art Trust in Auckland. Keep Reading

Arts Access Aotearoa and a network of creative spaces throughout New Zealand will celebrate Creative Spaces Week 2020 from Monday 17 February to Sunday 23 February, aiming to increase public awareness about their value to people’s mental health and wellbeing. Keep Reading

Hon Carmel Sepuloni has asked officials from the Ministry for Arts, Culture and Heritage and the Office for Disability Issues to work on developing an Arts and Wellbeing Strategy, with work due to commence this year. The Minister has said that officials will stay in touch with Te Ora Auaha throughout the process.  Keep Reading

Wellington creative space Pablos Art Studio uses art and creative exploration to encourage people to transform their lives and re-engage in the wider community. It offers free arts opportunities such as materials, workshops, demonstrations, individual tuition, discussion and critique groups, outings, outreach programmes, and individual and... Keep Reading

“Over the past couple of years, Circability has expanded its programmes, collaborations and engagement throughout Auckland and Northland,” says Jenny Hutchings, Creative Spaces Advisor at Arts Access Aotearoa. “It’s achieved this through the vision, leadership, courage and hard work of its director.” Keep Reading

"We are a dance company that provides training opportunities and performance opportunities for people with disabilities. I always find it a bit bizarre using that word 'disabilities' because for me it’s just about people. But they are the community that we work with. We also do a lot of education, teacher training to share our ideas about... Keep Reading

Greetings friends, fans and family of WIDance. It’s been an exciting year for Wellington Integrated Dance, with lots going on. We’ve been growing relationships and connections with old friends and new, and solidified the relationship with our dedicated team of regulars. Keep Reading

Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage and the Australia Council for the Arts recently put out a call for research into the contribution of the arts to wellbeing, public value and social inclusion. After more than 20 years making, managing, teaching and researching community-based arts and applied theatre, I have grown weary of... Keep Reading

It’s been a busy month of meetings and events – from the launch of the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Hansel and Gretel season and its audio described performances to the annual fundraising Pablos Art Auction, an Opportunity Arts exhibition in Parliament, an Arts Access Aotearoa board meeting and a meeting with Minister Carmel Sepuloni. Keep Reading

Community art galleries, cafes and libraries in Christchurch are offering people a “unique and fresh view of the world” through art exhibitions featuring work by artists from The White Room Creative Space. Keep Reading