I'm An Artist Campaign to change attitudes

The five artists in the I'm an Artist Campaign

6 October 2014
A national campaign aiming to change attitudes and behaviour towards people with a disability, sensory impairment or mental ill-health will be launched in five cities in New Zealand over five weeks, starting on Monday 6 October.

The I’m an Artist Campaign focuses on huge posters to be pasted up on streets in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Each of the five poster designs features a photo of a local artist with their work, accompanied by the text “I’m an artist”.

Fraser Hoffe, the Wellington artist in the I'm an Artist Campaign Arts Access Aotearoa is organising this social change campaign with funding from the Ministry of Social Development’s Making a Difference Fund. The campaign promotes disabled people and people with lived experience of mental ill-health as artists who make great art, often with the support and guidance of community-based creative spaces.

Richard Benge, Executive Director, Art Access Aotearoa said: “There are many terrific artists in New Zealand who just happen to have a disability. Here are five. Fortunately, they get support and motivation from innovative creative spaces around the country."

“However, these creative spaces are vulnerable to lack of funding and policy changes. Central and local government, health and welfare agencies, and the private sector all have a role to play in ensuring their sustainability.”

Statistics New Zealand figures show that in 2013 one in four (24 % or 1.1 million people) of New Zealanders was identified as having a disability.

“With an ageing population, this number will continue to grow,” Richard said. “Opportunities for creative expression and attendance at live performances and art galleries need to be accessible for everyone.”

The five artists and their creative spaces featured on the posters

Allyson Hamblett, a visual artist and media assistant at Spark Centre of Creative Development, St Lukes, Auckland, has cerebral palsy.
Kamini Nair, a visual artist at Sandz Studio and Gallery in Hamilton, has an intellectual disability.
Fraser Hoffe, a visual artist at Vincent’s Art Workshop and Pablos Art Studios in Wellington, has lived experience of mental ill-health.
Michael Krammer, a dancer and tutor with Jolt Dance in Christchurch, has autism.
Tanya Faiva, a visual artist at Studio2 in Dunedin, has a physical disability.

** Statistics New Zealand defines a disability as “an impairment that has a long-term, limiting effect on a person’s ability to carry out day-to-day activities.

Arts Access Aotearoa thanks Phantom Billstickers for its support pasting up the posters in the five cities.