CELEBRATING CREATIVE SPACES: Arts Access Aotearoa is raising the visibility and value of creative spaces during Creative Spaces Week 2020, starting on World Community Arts Day 17 February. Join Arts Access Aotearoa in celebrating the powerful impact that creative spaces have in our communities  during the week of Monday 17 February to Sunday 23 February. Find out more about #CreativeSpacesWeek

Latest news updates

Actor features in play about growing up with Down syndrome

4 February 2020
Lily Harper and her friends are proud to present Up Down Girl from 28 February to 1 March at The Globe Theatre in Palmerston North. In this new, local adaptation, based on the British play Up Down Boy by Sue Shields, Lily draws on her own life experiences to tell the tale of 19 year old Mattie Baker as she prepares to leave for college. Read more

Auckland Fringe play to flip perceptions about disability

30 January 2020
An inclusive cast of performers with and without disabilities will take to TAPAC’s stage to showcase a new work by Charlotte Nightingale at Auckland Fringe from 28 February to 1 March. The Incredible and Glorious World According to The Fitzroys was written to provide roles for disabled performers – in particular for young actor Daniel Nielson, who has autism. Read more

A new year for Pablos Art Studio

29 January 2020
"Moving into this space over December and January has been both exciting and terrifying. It’s been a big transition for us but it’s provided opportunities for the artists to identify their needs and wishes for the new space." Ellyn Rose Smith Whatley, Director of Pablos Art Studio, talks to Antoinette Spicer at Arts Access Aotearoa about the creative space’s plans for 2020. Read more

Creativity and digital skills in Otago Corrections Facility

17 December 2019
A trial programme, grounded in kaupapa Māori values and using creativity, storytelling and digital skills, has been described by Otago Corrections Facility staff members as “a massive opportunity to engage our Māori learners, particularly the young men in our care” and to “equip them for the workplace of the future”.  Read more 

Circability: building a strong organisation

16 December 2019
“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.” Read more