Arts Access AotearoaThe power of the work of creative spaces around the country is evident in a new report using data gathered over the multi-year funding of 54 creative spaces by Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
This report provides exactly the type of evidence that Hon Nicola Willis, Minister for Social Investment, has said the government needs to confirm contracts with well-established, reliable community organisations providing services that reduce government spending further down the track.
Creative spaces develop creative skills, a greater sense of belonging, positive self-identity and purpose. Romayne, a young artist attending Crescendo in Auckland, says: “I was quite lost. I wasn’t sure what to do … I didn’t have a passion for anything. Through Crescendo, I have learned that even the most out-of-tune instruments can create a beautiful melody. It’s not about music, it’s about people and connection.”
Now is the time for the Social Investment Agency, other government departments and funding agencies to read the report and recognise the evidence demonstrating how creative spaces can save the government money.
Funding leaves powerful legacy
The funding from Manatū Taonga has left a powerful legacy and must not be wasted. Return on investment examples are found in 51 impact stories, available on the Creative Spaces Network website. You can read these stories, listed according to the region they are based in.
Social investment needs to be targeted to where it is most needed and where impact saves the government money elsewhere. Highlighted below, for example are five creative spaces in Auckland working with vulnerable youth. Investment here represents excellent value for money.
These spaces are:
- Breathing Space, supporting the mental wellbeing of rangatahi through weekly arts-led group therapy, individual interventions and workshops with artists
- Crescendo, connecting with disconnected youth through free music production and wellbeing programmes, empowering them to pursue positive pathways
- Kākano Youth Arts Collective, addressing the needs of vulnerable youth by providing a safe, supportive environment for developing visual arts skills.
- Ngā Rangatahi Toa, enabling rangatahi through a Te Ao Māori worldview, the arts, therapeutic support and tikanga Māori.
- Te Kāhui Creative Writing (Youth Arts New Zealand), supporting participants, including young people in prison, to explore a range of writing genres.
Mandy Patmore, Director of Kākano, tells the story of “Rio” (not his real name) - referred to Kākano when he was 14. Rio thrived at the creative space and five years later, he landed a job in the art department of a movie. ”This funding enabled us to wrap ourselves around Rio and it impacted an entire household, enabling intergenerational change. And that's only Rio’s story. I have so many more.” Read Mandy’s blog
Adding to our own research about the positive impact of engagement in the arts, here’s some more new research using data from the well-known Growing Up in New Zealand study. It looks at the wellbeing benefits for 12-year-olds involved in extracurricular arts, culture and recreation, and was released this month by Auckland University of Technology in partnership with Manatū Taonga. Read more about this research
It shows a range of wellbeing benefits for rangatahi participating in arts, cultural and recreational activities, and is the most comprehensive research conducted on this topic.
In addition, it shows that participation in ngā toi Māori activities contributes positively to wellbeing across demographics, including better school engagement. The report suggests that opportunities to engage in ngā toi Māori activities should be provided whenever possible.
Creative New Zealand's benchmarked research
So here’s the evidence about the importance of arts, culture and recreation on the lives of young people. This importance reflects the experience of most people in Aotearoa, demonstrated in Creative New Zealand’s 2023 research and captured in the report New Zealanders and the Arts—Ko Aotearoa me ōna Toi.
This research provides benchmarked data on New Zealanders’ attitudes, attendance and participation in the arts since 2005.
Some key statistics:
- The arts help improve New Zealand society: 60% agree, up 8% since 2014.
- The arts help define who we are as New Zealanders: 63% agree, up 11% since 2014.
- 41% of New Zealanders say the arts are important to their personal wellbeing.
- 78% of New Zealanders say that ngā toi Māori is an important way of connecting with their culture/identity.
- 43% of Deaf and disabled people say the arts make them less lonely and isolated, compared to 38% of all New Zealanders
- 67% of Deaf and disabled people attended arts events in the previous year, in line with the national average (68%).
Read more about the survey results
These three reports highlight the positive impact of the arts in delivering social and health outcomes. Here is where social investment funding can be targeted for valuable return on investment.
Programmes provided by creative spaces are managed by qualified professionals are already in place. They can be scaled up and can achieve so much more to assist the government’s goals.
Imagine a nation where all people can embrace their creativity, feel secure in their cultural identity and are valued. Let’s invest in this possibility.
