CHAMBER MUSIC FOR ALL: The traditional concert hall doesn’t suit everyone, including people with intellectual disabilities. That’s why Chamber Music New Zealand has provided three accessible concerts over 2017 in the Hawke’s Bay, Wellington and Christchurch in partnership with IHC Foundation. Read more about its accessible concerts 

Artwork from nine prisons in Plate to Gate event

20 September 2017
For the fifth consecutive year, Rimutaka Prison and The Learning Connexion students joined forces to display 30 artworks from nine prisons at the recent Rimutaka Gate to Plate dinner, held as part of the annual Visa Wellington on a Plate. The work was displayed over three days at the College Restaurant at Rimutaka Prison as well as on the menu itself. Read more

Companion card in the too-hard basket

15 September 2017
"The Australian Government funds a longstanding and very successful Companion Card scheme – one that Arts Access Aotearoa has been advocating for since 2010. It’s a scheme I feel strongly about and I thought it was time to update you on its progress – or lack of," writes Richard Benge, Executive Director, Arts Access Aotearoa in his latest blog. Read more

Access radio a voice for Otago communities

11 September 2017
Connor McMillan’s thumbs-up says it all. A big music fan, the Taieri College student is learning how to record his radio and podcast series, Connor's Hits, to air on Otago Access Radio OAR FM in late September. It’s one of more than 85 programmes made by individuals, groups and organisations in Dunedin and the Otago region. Read more about OAR FM

Installation invites visitors to touch and play

8 September 2017
The New Zealand Maritime Museum’s new exhibition Knot Touch, opening in Auckland on 29 September, celebrates the versatility and variety of knots. The tactile nature of the exhibition makes it accessible to all ages and abilities. Using netting, rope and a range of knots, artist Jae Kang says the site-specific installation invites visitors to interact and engage with the work. Read more about the installation

Upper Hutt shines spotlight on prisoners’ art

31 August 2017
An exhibition in Upper Hutt’s Expressions Whirinaki arts centre throughout October is a chance for the public to purchase artwork by prisoners and support their journey to rehabilitation. Leanne Wickham, Director of Expressions Whirinaki, is working with two volunteer art tutors at Rimutaka Prison, Karina Fraser and Matt Weavers, to organise the exhibition. Read more about art at Rimutaka Prison 

Arts more than a “nice to have” for prisoners

31 August 2017
“The arts are not just a ‘nice to have’. I said that in an opinion piece I wrote recently that covered the wider topic of creativity, wellbeing and the essential ingredients that keep people balanced and motivated physically, spiritually and emotionally. With these in place, we can lead productive lives,” writes Richard Benge, Executive Director, Arts Access Aotearoa, in his latest blog about the role of Arts in Corrections facilities

Emma Lou wins IHC Art Awards

31 August 2017
A finely detailed pastel drawing by Wellington artist Emma Lou has won the 2017 IHC Art Awards and $5000. Emma, who works from Wellington creative space Alpha Art Studio and Gallery, worked on her self-titled piece, Emma Lou, for almost a year. The large, mainly pink, mauve and blue drawing features tiny pictures of animals and fish and human faces as well as characters in both Cantonese and English. Read more

Networking about Arts in Corrections

28 August 2017
Sharing knowledge and resources, talking about creative possibilities and challenges, and collaborating on Arts in Corrections projects are among the aims of the Arts in Corrections Network facilitated by Arts Access Aotearoa. With the networks well-established, Arts Access Aotearoa's Arts in Corrections Advisor Jacqui Moyes is calling for network members to make their names and contact details available for publication under the relevant network. Read Networking about Arts in Corrections

Arts help meet needs in health and social services

4 August 2017
Research conducted in the UK provides evidence that participating in the arts improves quality of life, aids recovery from illness and saves money across the health and social services, says Richard Benge, Executive Director, Arts Access Aotearoa. “This is research that applies equally to New Zealand, and can help us meet some of the very real challenges facing our health and social services." Read more about the arts and health