From the Executive Director ...

Welcome to “Arts Access Aotearoa In Touch”, our new-look newsletter – an integral part of our new brand, which also includes a new logo and website. We embarked on this process to improve our accessibility and provide a high-quality centre of information.

Coming up this month is the Big ‘A’ Awards 2012 ceremony, to be held in Parliament on 18 July. This year, we’ll be announcing the recipients of six award categories, including two new awards: the Big ‘A’ Artistic Achievement Award and the Big ‘A’ Prison Arts Community Award. As one of the six judges, I found the experience inspiring because we learned about and considered so many different and interesting nominees.

Thanks  to my fellow judges: Minnie Baragwanath (Chief Executive, Be. Accessible); Rachel Leota (Assistant General Manager – Service Development, Department of Corrections); Rachel Mullins (Inclusive Communities Co-ordinator, Christchurch City Council); Erwin van Asbeck (Manager, Toi Ora Live Arts Trust, Auckland); and Stephen Wainwright (Chief Executive, Creative New Zealand).

In The July Interview, we talk to Rachel Mullins. Rachel also attended JOLT Dance’s annual show, called Lean On Me, where I presented a Highly Commended certificate for the Big ‘A’ Artistic Achievement Award to JOLT dancer Melissa Fox.

Two stories in this month’s “In Touch” were written by volunteer writers Faye Drawneek and Brendan McBryde. We have a great team of volunteers working for us and the office is buzzing with activity as we count down to the Big ‘A’ Awards. You can read a feature article online about the wonderful contribution of volunteers – not only at Arts Access Aotearoa but also at creative spaces around the country.

We welcome your feedback about Arts Access Aotearoa In Touch and our website.