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Arts Access Aotearoa develops Creative Spaces Resource Kit

Creative spaces and individuals needing information, guidance and resources can now contact Arts Access Aotearoa and ask for its new Creative Spaces Resource Kit.

Launched by Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast, the kit was developed by Arts Access Aotearoa in response to frequent queries from creative spaces and individual artists. It includes links to relevant websites and information on funding, governance and marketing.

Kerry Prendergast congratulated Arts Access Aotearoa on the resource kit and its work in promoting access to the arts for all members of the Wellington community.

"Wellington prides itself on being inclusive," she said. "With this resource kit and its work in making the arts accessible to everyone, Arts Access Aotearoa is playing a vital role in helping us retain that reputation and being inclusive. On behalf of Wellington, I thank them for that. There is no question that the arts can enhance people's quality of life."

Arts Access Aotearoa, a national organisation receiving annual funding from Creative New Zealand, promotes access to the arts particularly among groups that are often marginalised: for example, people with mental or physical disabilities, prisoners, refugees or migrants.

Community well-being
As part of this role, it works with almost 100 creative spaces across New Zealand - most of which focus on artists with mental illness or disability. Creative spaces are organisations that value the creative process as a means of contributing to individual and community wellbeing.

The Wellington region has the highest concentration of creative spaces in New Zealand, including some well-known examples such as Vincent's Art Workshop on Willis Street, Pablos on Cuba Street and Take 5 in Lower Hutt.

"I am pleased Wellington City Council has supported this initiative," says Julie Donvin-Irons, Executive Director, Arts Access Aotearoa. "We work to promote New Zealand Outsider Artists and their work. There is increasing recognition of this type of work overseas and things are beginning to change at home as well."

Artists from creative spaces tend to be included in the Outsider Art movement. Outsider Art is art developed by people who are often on the margins of society and have had no formal training. It is usually considered very expressive, emotionally charged and direct, and is increasingly commanding top dollars in established art circles, especially in the United States.

Two Wellington-based Outsider Artists gaining international recognition are Martin Thompson and Reece Tong whose works are being exhibited in countries such as the United States and Australia.

"We're committed to providing momentum for the careers of Outsider Artists throughout New Zealand by promoting the creative spaces that these artists work with," Julie says.

For copies of the Creative Spaces Resource Kit contact Arts Access Aotearoa (T: 04-802 4349).

 

 

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Creative New Zealand supports Arts Access Aotearoa with annual funding ($278,000 in 2007) for its programme of activities.