Big 'A' Awards 2012

A new award recognising the artistic achievements of a disabled or sensory impaired artist is one of six award categories in the Big ‘A’ Awards 2012. These awards are presented every year by Arts Access Aotearoa at a ceremony in the Banquet Hall of Parliament.

The 2012 awards ceremony, hosted by Parliament and the Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, the Hon Christopher Finlayson, were held in the Banquet Hall at Parliament on 18 July. 

Read more about the recipients.

Six awards

The six award categories were:

• Big ‘A’ Artistic Achievement Award, recognising the outstanding achievements and contribution of an artist based in New Zealand, who has a physical, sensory or intellectual impairment, or is a mental health service user
  Recipient: Sarah Houbolt, circus artist, Auckland
  Highly Commended: Melissa, Fox, Christchurch; Daniel King, Auckland; Andrew Blythe, Auckland
  
  
• Big ‘A’ Creative Space Award, recognising the outstanding contribution and impact of a creative space that provides opportunities for people with limited access to make art, across any or all artforms
  Recipient: Vincents Art Workshop, Wellington
  Highly Commended: Sandz Gallery and Studio, Hamilton; Pablos Art Studios, Wellington
  
  
• Big ‘A’ CQ Hotels Wellington Community Partnership Award, recognising a mutually beneficial partnership between two or more organisations or groups actively engaged in a community-based arts project
  Recipient: Nga Rangatahi Toa Creative Arts Initiative, Artstation and the MIT School of Visual Arts, Auckland
   
• Big ‘A’ Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award, recognising an arts organisation, company, venue or producer that best demonstrates its commitment to developing its audiences by becoming more accessible to the disabled community
  Recipient: WOMAD New Zealand, New Plymouth
  Highly Commended: THE EDGE, Auckland
  
  
• Big ‘A’ Prison Arts Leadership Award, recognising the outstanding contribution of an individual using the arts as a tool to support the rehabilitation/reintegration of prisoners. The individual must be an employee, contractor or volunteer with the Department of Corrections.
  Recipient: Corina Hazlett, Canterbury Prisons, Christchurch
  Highly Commended: Ann Abraham, Arohata Prison, Wellington
  
  
• Big ‘A’ Prison Arts Community Award, recognising the outstanding contribution of a community group or community organisation working with the Department of Corrections and using the arts as a tool to support the rehabilitation/reintegration of prisoners.
  Recipient: Quilt-Stitch Group, Auckland