INFORMATION CENTRAL: Providing a timely, accurate and responsive information service is a key part of Arts Access Aotearoa's mahi. We receive many information queries about access to the arts from the organisations, groups and individuals we work with. We also get questions from government agencies and the general public. Find out more about this service
Latest news updates
New book shines light on disability theatre
22 January 2019
Fifteen years of work in disability performance has culminated in the publication of a new book for Ara Institute theatre tutor Dr Tony McCaffrey of Christchurch. McCaffrey established A Different Light, an ensemble of performers with intellectual disabilities, in 2004, and has since contributed to an international network challenging assumptions about theatre, disability and what it means to be an inclusive society. Read more
WIDance looks towards 2019
14 December 2018
Inclusive circus, and performances for Matariki and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities are just three of the projects on the Wellington Integrated Dance 2019 calendar. It’s also been invited to develop an installation at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, to run alongside an award exhibition in early 2020, and will be working on this project in 2019. Read more
Community and volunteers benefit prisoners
13 December 2018
Criminology and law students at Otago University are among more than 40 community volunteers supporting prisoners at Otago Corrections Facility. The university students have been volunteering their skills for several years, visiting the prison once a week for 16 weeks over two semesters. This year, 30 criminology students have visited the prison where they’ve run a book club, a creative writing course, art classes and volleyball. Read more
Highlights of Arts in Corrections role
13 December 2018
An exhibition of prisoner art in Parliament, meeting like-minded people at a conference in Brisbane, touring New Zealand with the founder of the Shakespeare Behind Bars programme and facilitating a year-long drama project at Arohata Prison are among the highlights of Jacqui Moyes’ time as Arts in Corrections Advisor at Arts Access Aotearoa. Read more
Deaf actor wins Attitude Artistic Achievement Award 2018
29 November 2018
The late Shaun Fahey, a Deaf actor and leader in inclusive theatre, received the Attitude Artistic Achievement Award 2018 at last night’s Attitude Awards in Auckland. Shaun, who passed away in August this year, performed with Equal Voices Arts in Hamilton. Through his performances, he showcased New Zealand Sign Language and enabled Deaf audience members to enjoy theatre in their own language. Read more
Audio described show at BATS Theatre
23 November 2018
“Using audio description is a beautiful meeting point between enhancing the show’s accessibility for blind and low vision people, and exploring its key themes of communication,” says Isobel MacKinnon, co-director of Actual Fact, on at BATS Theatre in Wellington until Saturday 1 December. The touch tour and audio described performance is on Wednesday 28 November. Read more
