About Arts Access Aotearoa

Arts Access Aotearoa | Putanga Toi ki Aotearoa’s purpose is to increase access to the arts for people who experience barriers to participation as artists, performers, audience members, and gallery and museum visitors. It does this by working in the disability, mental health and Deaf communities, and through a network of community arts organisations called creative spaces.

It also facilitates a Deaf and disabled artists’ initiative, supporting the artists to create work and develop their creative practice.

In addition, it works with the professional arts sector to help them improve their access to Deaf and disabled artists and audiences.

Arts Access Aotearoa advises the Department of Corrections on its arts programmes and activities, and advocates for the arts as a tool to support the rehabilitative process of prisoners and their reintegration back into the community on release.

It also provide a national advisory and advocacy service about access to the arts. This includes providing information, resources and research through its Information Centre. 

Read about Arts Access Aotearoa's areas of work and what we do

Read about Arts Access Aotearoa in 2022

Vision

All people in Aotearoa can access and participate in the arts.

Purpose

Arts Access Aotearoa works in partnership to increase access to the arts for people in Aotearoa who experience barriers to participation.

Values

Arts Access Aotearoa provides its service believing in these values:

• Accessibility and inclusion in the arts, respect and kindness in our undertakings for and with all people
• Arts Access Aotearoa recognises the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to its kaupapa, with due regard for Te Tiriti's articles and principles.

This recognition is reflected in the following values that will underpin our work:

• Mōhiotanga - seeking understanding and awareness
• Rangatiratanga – respecting the mana of others
• Whanaungatanga – appreciating the value of relationships and partnerships
• Kotahitanga – working in harmony to achieve common purpose and shared vision
• Kaitiakitanga – service to others and nurturing leadership within others.

Strategic goals 

These are:

• Increased access to the the arts.
• A sustainable and effective creative spaces sector.
• A sustainably funded Arts in Corrections framework, adopted by and integrated into Corrections' rehabilitation servies.
• A continuous supply of arts programmes accessible to those in the care of Ara Poutama Aotearoa.
• A sustainably funded programme of arts initiatives in youth justice residences.