About Arts in Corrections
The arts and creativity play a vital role in rehabilitation and reintegration. Arts Access Aotearoa connects artists, educators and organisations with opportunities to deliver arts programmes in prisons and Community Corrections across Aotearoa.
Funded by Ara Poutama Aotearoa Department of Corrections, the Arts in Corrections Advisory Service supports 18 prisons, a remand centre in New Plymouth, and Community Corrections, which works with around 30,000 people in the community.
In 2025, Arts Access Aotearoa published Te Ara ki Runga, a guide supporting both new and established Arts in Corrections educators seeking to deliver high-quality, meaningful arts programmes in New Zealand prisons. Read more about Te Ara ki Runga
For more information about the Arts in Corrections programme and projects, please get in touch with Neil Wallace, Arts in Corrections Advisor.
Meet the Arts in Corrections Advisor
Neil Wallace
Arts In Corrections Advisor Kaiārahi a Toi Ara Poutama
Phone: 027 263 6711
Email: aic@artsaccess.org.nz
Neil works Monday to Thursday.
How we support Arts in Corrections
The Arts in Corrections Advisor:
- works with artists, educators, and organisations to develop and deliver arts programmes in prisons and Community Corrections
- facilitates three regional Arts in Corrections Networks, bringing together people working in this space
- supports Corrections staff in developing and implementing arts plans in prisons
- provides training and guidance for staff and volunteers leading arts projects
- connects released prisoners with arts opportunities in the community.
Why join the Arts in Corrections Network?
The national Arts in Corrections Network, facilitated by Arts Access Aotearoa, is a space for artists, iwi and hapū, writers, academics, Corrections staff, volunteers, and others passionate about arts and social justice. The Network holds regional hui.
What regions does the Network cater to?
For more information about the location of the prisons, regional offices, special treatment units and Community Corrections offices, visit the Department of Corrections website.
Share your work with us
We promote arts initiatives that support rehabilitation and reintegration. If you have an arts project, event, resource, or opportunity relevant to Arts in Corrections, let us know. We may be able to share it via our:
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- social media platforms
- Toi Whakaora: Arts in Corrections e-newsletter
- news stories, articles and blogs.
To enquire about promotions, please email comms@artsaccess.org.nz
Explore our Arts in Corrections resources
- Art Inside podcast
- Arts in Corrections news/blogs
- Research
- Resources
- Arts in Corrections media
- Arts in Corrections awards
