HIGHLY COMMENDED, CLAIRE: Richard Benge, Executive Director, Arts Access Aotearoa, presents a special - and surpise - Highly Commended award to Claire Noble for her outstanding event co-ordination of Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards over the past six years.

It’s time to say “haere ra” and “haere mai” at Arts Access Aotearoa. It’s always sad to farewell a member of our team: in this instance, Claire Noble, Access and Participation Advisor for the past six years. In her time with us, Claire has driven the national Arts For All Network, been events co-ordinator extraordinaire (especially of Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards), managed our team of volunteers and facilitated meetings with the Arts Access Advocates.

She has also been a powerhouse of enthusiasm, positivity, energy, commitment and great ideas. We will all miss you enormously, Claire, but we are looking forward to hearing about your overseas adventures .

At the end of the month, Claire will be heading to Zambia where she will be volunteering as a drama teacher with Barefoot Theatre Company, which works with homeless children. She does plan to return to Wellington so yay, we will see her next year.

For the past month, Stace Robertson has been working alongside Claire to familiarise himself with the role – including the Awards, co-facilitating the Arts For All Wellington Network meeting this week, participating in a panel discussion at Victoria University during Disability Pride Week and meeting a bunch of people. Welcome, Stace!

From Monday, Stace will become the first port of call for arts venues, organisations, festivals and practitioners wanting to become more accessible and inclusive in the arts. He will also run the Arts Access Advocates Network.

Stace is a practising artist, working in various mediums and is currently exploring ceramics. Stace has a BMA (hons) majoring in painting and sculpture from Wintec. As a disabled person, he has strong connections in disability communities and is passionate about access, advocacy and community development.