Latest news updates

Spreading kōrero of disability and music technology

16 March 2023
I’m Sam Morgan, a musician and producer based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington in Aotearoa New Zealand. I have a degenerative eye condition, which has meant that attending shows and going to gigs has become increasingly difficult over the past few years. Listen to the Able Audio podcasts

Funding arts champions to drive change

14 March 2023
A search of the word “champions” on Arts Access Aotearoa’s website brings up a number of headlines and story links: champions in the Arts in Corrections sector; champions of accessibility in The Arts Access Podcast; and theatre access champions. Read Richard Benge's blog

Realising an audio description dream

13 March 2023
It was a weekend of firsts! The first time Audio Described Aotearoa has provided audio description at Te Matatini; the first time Alanah-Jay Harris had audio described an event; and the first time blind audiences were able to experience the visual elements of the festival’s performances. Read Nicola Owen’s blog 

Audio Described Aotearoa to train Māori and Pacific audio describers

1 March 2023
Audio Described Aotearoa’s dream of increasing the number of Māori and Pacific audio describers has taken a step closer to reality, thanks to a grant from Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Read more about the project 

Empowering tane to achieve excellence in artmaking

28 February 2023
“I’m an experienced high school teacher and I’ve worked a lot with troubled young people in low-decile schools. I wanted to extend that and use my skills to make a positive impact on men in prison," says Gill Marshall, Educational Arts Tutor at Hawkes Bay Regional Prison. Read Gilli’s blog

The release of making art in prison

28 February 2023
A chance conversation with a fellow prisoner opened a door to The Learning Connexion and the world of art for Ray*, who is part of the therapeutic community at Auckland Prison. During the past six years, he’s produced more than 300 artworks and 16 “Garden Sketchbooks”. No wonder he is known as one of The Learning Connexion’s most prolific creators. Read Ray’s story

Exploring the intersection of the arts and justice systems

28 February 2023
Lia Pikus is volunteering with Arts Access Aotearoa as part of the one-year Thomas J. Watson Fellowship she was awarded in 2021. She started playing the cello when she was seven-years-old and at high school, she became a songwriter. Read about Lia Pikus