Creative Spaces initiative funding recipients

Ngā roopu angitū ō Ngā wāhi Auaha
Creative Spaces initiative funding recipients

The Creative Spaces initiative provided $17.1 million to 54 creative spaces for new roles or additional hours for existing roles to expand the organisation’s services beyond its existing client base.

Name of creative space	Funding (3 years)	Region based	Locations expanded to with funding, if any	Description
Art for All Trust	$228,960	Auckland	Online	Art For All provides art tuition, quality materials, exhibition opportunities and social connection for artists with intellectual disabilities and/or mental health distress. Artists are empowered to feel valued, included and productive members of society through learning art processes, creating and exhibiting artworks, and generating income through selling their work.
Art4Me - Connecting Creatively for Wellbeing (WestREAP)	$375,860	West Coast	Blackball	Art4Me is a community arts programme for adults. Participants work in the medium of their choice in a welcoming, safe and supportive environment. It supports participation in a range of community activities, including opportunities to exhibit locally, and support for further learning and partnerships with other groups and events.
Art-East	$231,000	Canterbury		Art-East provides a safe place of support for people with a range of issues, including addictions, mental health issues, social stigma and physical disabilities. Arts-based activities are run within group settings and one-to-one. It connects members with established artists and has regular outings in the Christchurch art community.
Artists in the Making	$244,509	Waikato	Kūaotunu	Artists in the Making is a support service for disabled people and is run by the Coromandel Independent Living Trust. Participants use art and craft to help uncover their artisitic skills, meeting twice a week to work mainly in mosaics, china painting and craft.
Arts For Health	$448,604	Waikato		Arts For Health Community Trust provides a holistic approach to health and ongoing creative activities for adults recovering from illness or injury, senior citizens, students – in fact, anyone who wants to use creativity as a means of empowerment and wellbeing. Activities include painting, card and paper making, and stone carving.
Arts Integrated	$70,200	Canterbury	Selwyn	Arts Integrated has a performing arts programme for young adults, enabling people living with disability to explore and extend their creativity through the performing arts. Activities range from creating and exploring dance and music to writing stories, culminating in a theatrical production at the end of terms 2 and 4.
Cantabrainers Therapeutic Choir Charitable Trust	$143,400	Canterbury		Cantabrainers works with people with neurological conditions to help them regain their speech through singing. It helps increase members’ confidence and reduces their isolation by enabling them to sing with others. A music therapist leads and accompanies the choir, while a speech-language therapist provides individual support.
Circability	$398,200	Auckland		Circability celebrates difference by providing social circus programmes for all ages and abilities. Its classes are open and participatory, connecting people from all backgrounds. There is an emphasis on colour, fun, movement and humour. Circability works with marginalised groups such as at-risk youth, Deaf and disabled people, and people with mental health distress.
Community Art Works	$216,000	Nelson		Community Art Works caters for people with disabilities, disconnected youth, people with experience of mental ill-health or people referred through the justice system. It is staffed by several professional artists and provides work experience for polytechnic and college students. Programmes are based around art, music, dance and literature.
Connect the Dots	$381,635	Auckland	Northland	Connect the Dots engages older people and people living with dementia with art and cultural opportunities through its programme Make Moments. Its arts educators deliver art tours and art-making workshops at local arts venues. The discussions and supported artmaking give participants intellectual stimulation, cultural engagement and social interaction.
Creative Arts Trust (Artsenta)	$431,125	Otago	Central Otago	Artsenta is an art studio for people in the mental health community. Staff have a range of skills and it also invites local artists/tutors to provide workshops. It provides materials, equipment and tuition in various activities, including painting, sculpture, pottery, creative writing and music. It caters for people working individually or in groups.
Creative Collaborative	$447,525	Auckland	Wider Auckland suburbs	Creative Collaborative is a group of creative practitioners who work together to make projects in different places, using the arts to build skills and develop caring, connected communities. A lot of its work is about partnerships with youth to help make changes they want to see in their world.
Creative Kids Trust Board	$415,872	Marlborough	Waitaria Bay, Linkwater, Seddon, Ward and Rai Valley	Creative Kids Trust uses music, movement and art to provide a safe place for vulnerable children to grow and flourish. It aims to bring about change and facilitate growth, ultimately developing a healthy sense of self. It believes its passion in the arts can help bring communities together.
Creative Sounds Trust (The Stomach)	$190,200	Manawatū-Whanganui		The Creative Sounds Society is a non-profit organisation dedicated to encouraging musical, artistic, and performance activities. It runs an all-ages venue, recording studio and rehearsal space known as The Stomach in Palmerston North. It nurtures and provides space and resources for creativity in the community.
Crescendo Trust of Aotearoa	$291,012	Auckland	Te Kaha and Bay of Plenty	Crescendo works alongside 12 to 24-year-olds, providing an environment where young people can express themselves creatively and are supported to overcome barriers to success. It delivers mentoring programmes in the arts where young people can engage directly and connect with other people working in the creative industries.
Estuary Arts Charitable Trust	$50,220	Auckland		Estuary Arts Centre is a creative hub for everyone, whatever their age and ability. It  provides exhibitions, education opportunities and arts activities that engage particularly with youth, tangata whenua, and disabled, migrant and senior citizen communities. Its programmes give participants a sense of purpose, boost self-esteem and provide valuable life skills.
Fareham Creative Space Trust	$382,760	Wellington	Lower Hutt, Wainuiomata and Palmerston North	Fareham Creative Space provides access to art-making activities and creative expression for everyone, particularly people who experience barriers to participation. Its vision is “Hauora and wellbeing through creativity”. Its purpose is to bring people together to collaborate, learn, teach, explore and create, facilitating creativity in Featherston and beyond.
Flock Charitable Trust (Hobson Street Theatre Company)	$349,478	Auckland		Flock Charitable Trust through Hobson St Theatre Company uses theatre to share the stories of people with experience of homelessness, and to foster dialogue on issues that lead to and perpetuate homelessness. It aims to extend to other areas in Auckland and across the country that experience high rates of homelessness.
Glass Ceiling Arts Collective Limited	$449,271	Auckland		Glass Ceiling Arts Collective is an arts charity and a community which believes that young people with disabilities should not be defined by their disability but should be afforded the opportunity to enjoy the performing arts alongside their non-disabled peers.
Home Ground	$357,408	Wellington	Manawatū, Te Tairawhiti and Wellington City	Home Ground is for women in the justice system. Its four projects are delivered in the community or Arohata Prison. It uses arts practice as a means to self-empowerment, community connectedness and wellbeing. Artists are encouraged to create projects expressing issues faced by women in the justice system and their whānau.
Interacting	$62,400	Auckland	North Shore	Interacting Theatre runs community classes in drama, filmmaking and songwriting at five venues in Auckland throughout the term. It organises the disability arts festival InterACT, run every October at Corban Estate Arts Centre in Henderson. It devises and releases original theatre, performed each year at the InterACT Festival.
Jolt Charitable Trust	$304,725	Canterbury	Hamilton, New Plymouth and Christchurch	Jolt celebrates the unique qualities of its dancers and challenges perspectives about dance and disability. It is based on the belief that what are perceived as limitations are opportunities for unique movements and connections between people. Jolt classes are open to everyone and reflect the diversity of the disability community.
Kākano Youth Collective	$ 125,400	Auckland		Kākano gives young people in West Auckland, typically between the ages of 12 and 20, an opportunity to develop visual arts skills in various media in a safe and supportive environment. It runs its own gallery, does public art projects, and develops the young artists’ art practice, confidence and self-worth.
Kāpiti Art Studio	$387,104	Wellington	Ōtaki	Kāpiti Art Studio is a space where people in Kāpiti who are disabled or living with mental distress can express themselves through art. Its mission is to nurture the creativity that comes from within and to foster a more inclusive society. It embraces and celebrates difference and cultural diversity.
Magenta Creative Space Charitable Trust	$405,600	Nelson		Magenta Creative Space caters for people with experience of mental ill-health. Established in 2002, Magenta is not an art therapy institution but the artists who attend find it therapeutic. It’s a place where they can relax, meet new people, and be extended by learning new art-making techniques and skills.
Many Hats Theatre Company	$313,560	Canterbury		Many Hats’ mission is to provide access for disabled people to have opportunities for creative expression through the creation and presentation of drama performances.  It has its own YouTube channel with material that is created, written and performed by the Many Hats’ actors.
Māoriland Hub	$450,000	Manawatū-Whanganui		Rangatahi Māori are a key focus for Māoriland Hub in Ōtaki. It’s co-designed with rangatahi programmes such as filmmaking workshops and the Māoriland (Ahi) Tech Creative Hub MATCH. Its Māoriland creative arts programme Te Ara Toi is a 12-month programme that provides a broad range of art-making activities.
MIX - Connecting, Creating, Living Incorporated	$440,333	Wellington	Wainuiomata	Mix is a mental health community day service offering workshops in a variety of mediums and studio areas. including ceramics, bone and wood carving, and painting and drawing. Exhibition opportunities include an in-house gallery. There are spaces in Hutt City and Upper Hutt.
Mosaic - a service of Presbyterian Support East Coast	$374,775	Hawke's Bay		Mosaic is a home for disabled artists, a creative space, art gallery and life skills education centre. Its creative space programme includes painting and printmaking, bone carving, mosaics, jewellery, clay, sculpture, toi Māori, painting and craft. Open Monday to Friday, it offers experienced staff in an inclusive, accessible environment.
Mt Albert Community Club	$217,114	Auckland		Mt Albert Community Club is an activity-based day service for adults with experience of mental health distress/tangata whai i te ora. It provides a range of creative and social opportunities, including annual exhibitions. Tutors facilitate the development of members’ creative ideas in a mixture of guided activities and self-directed practice.
Ngā Rangatahi Toa Creative Arts Initiative Trust	$334,575	Auckland		Ngā Rangatahi Toa has been nationally and internationally recognised for its social justice-based education work and Creative Youth Development (CYD) work for young people. Its immersive, intensive programmes use arts and wellbeing programmes to help connect rangatahi with their purpose and imagine a positive future for themselves.
Ōtautahi Creative Space	$443,312	Canterbury		This is a Christchurch-wide venture that hosts creative spaces and does collaborative creative projects to strengthen communities and boost wellbeing. Its focus is on inclusion of people with experience of mental distress, earthquake trauma and social isolation. It has a Māori arts programme, Te Ara Toi, and a mentoring programme.
Pablos Art Studio Incorporated	$321,750	Wellington	Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Porirua	Pablos Art Studio uses art and creative exploration to encourage people with experience of mental distress to transform their lives and re-engage in the wider community. Artists can access quality art opportunities in an environment that acknowledges career, personal and social needs, and encourages connections and a sense of value in the wider community.
Panacea Arts Charitable Trust (Māpura Studios)	$404,275	Auckland	South Auckland	Māpura Studios provides visual arts and art therapy programmes for all age groups and abilities, with special provision for people living with disability and diversity. Its programmes are a synthesis of fine arts practice and self-development in an inclusive environment. Its extensive exhibition and events calendar showcases its artists’ work.
Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust	$450,000	Auckland	Ōpōtiki and Kawerau, Eastern Bay of Plenty	This is the only not-for-profit music therapy centre in New Zealand. Its team of nine music therapists provide individual, pair and group music therapy to its clients, including people with cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome and Angelman syndrome. It has outreach music therapy programmes in schools and community centres.
Story Club	$197,961	Auckland		The kaupapa of Story Club is connecting community through sharing and celebrating diverse cultures. It provides access to art-making activities and the creation of community projects, which raise awareness of minority groups’ cultures and life experiences. All Story Club activities are free and projects developed through a process of co-creation with people in these communities.
Studio2 Margaret Freeman Gallery	$268,299	Otago		Studio 2/Margaret Freeman Gallery is an arm of a larger organisation, Connections Education and Development Trust. It’s an art studio and exhibition space for disabled artists. Activities include writing, painting, drawing and sculpture. It encourages artists to work independently and helps promote their work to the wider community.
Te Ara Korowai Incorporated	$401,760	Wellington		Te Ara Korowai means “Embracing the path”. It’s a creative space for people who want to improve their mental wellbeing. It has a studio space where people can learn diverse artistic and social skills to increase community connectedness and improve their wellbeing. It also offers peer support and advocacy, training and wellbeing workshops.
Te Kāhui	$332,540	Auckland	Christchurch	Te Kāhui creative writing programme encourages reflective self-expression opportunities for rangatahi in vulnerable and underserved communities, initially in Mt Eden Corrections Facility. Facilitated by Youth Arts NZ, its outreach programme aims to engage other at-risk communities such as marginalised migrant or LGBTQ+ youth, and tailor the programme to their diverse needs.
Te Karanga Creative Space	$426,120	Auckland	Ōtara, Glen Innes, Massey and Henderson	Te Karanga Trust’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of young people; help creative a more inclusive, resilient and connected community; and open doors for youth in under-served communities. It facilitates strengths-based programmes, including, technical, digital, music and arts skills with a view to further education.
Te Pu o Te Wheke Community Gallery & Arts Trust	$355,840	Northland	Kaeo	This is an open gallery space, run as a co-operative of artists. Te Pu o Te Wheke Arts’ kaupapa is about supporting and working alongside people and families with experience of mental distress. It is community-focused, a place to share ideas and inspiration and support each other to make art happen.
Te Whare Roimata Trust / Linwood Arts Centre	$306,245	Canterbury		The Linwood Community Arts Centre, a project of Te Whare Roimata Trust, offers a varied, affordable arts programme to people from disadvantaged eastern inner-city neighbourhoods, enabling access to the arts. The building of community via inclusion, connection, and individual and community wellbeing lies at the heart of its work.
Te Whare Toi o Ngaaruawaahia - Twin Rivers Community Art Centre Inc.	$424,800	Waikato		This community hub’s kaupapa is to provide creative programmes, projects, events and access to participate in community activities. It runs art for health classes, mahi toi classes, evening and day classes, school holiday programmes and masterclasses. Its focus is on creative projects that enhance and tell the stories of its community.
The Corner: Creative Space	$295,277	Auckland		This youth-led space has a focus on arts access, development and education. It provides a safe, inclusive environment for young people and the community to socialise, study or develop their artform. Young people and community groups are encouraged to utilise the facility and its resources for hui, rehearsals, workshops and events.
The Shed Project	$447,945	Wellington	Ōtaki	The Shed Project Kāpiti aims to improve the lives of differently abled people and their communities. It provides many opportunities and choices, including art classes, music classes, community-based NZQA accredited education, hands-on vocational courses, woodworking, craft skills, toy-making and recreational events.
The White Room Creative Space	$242,300	Canterbury	Lyttelton, The Commons, Tūranga and Cashel Mall	The White Room brings disabled and non-disabled artists together in an inclusive, creative community united by a shared passion for art. Artists can learn new techniques in visual art and share ideas through interaction with visiting artists and tutors. It fosters creativity, skill sharing, new ideas and ways of expression.
Toi Ako Artspace	$249,444	Waikato	Meremere	Toi Ako brings the community together, offering creativity classes, workshops and outreach programmes for people of all ages and abilities. Governed by the Te Kauwhata Community House, it offers an extension of the other health and social services provided by the Community House and places the arts firmly at the centre.
Toi Ora Live Art Trust	$450,000	Auckland	Auckland	Toi Ora Live Art Trust provides creative learning opportunities and space for people with experience of mental distress. It offers classes across artforms, tutored by experienced practitioners, and has studio space to people wishing to work on individual or collaborative projects. It has a range of art materials and resources.
Touch Compass	$449,930	Auckland	Online	Touch Compass produces performance and dance training for people of all abilities. Disability-led, its mission is to explore the intersection of disability, Māori and Pasifika cultures, and explore cultural diversity through authentic and multi-dimensional performance. It aims to break down physical and psychological barriers so everyone who want to dance can.
Voice Arts	$238,060	Wellington		Voice Arts Trust delivers projects that are community-based, participant-driven and focused on creating original theatre that gives voice to isolated and at-risk groups within the community. Its work is accessible to everyone and involves active participation, self-discovery, connection and wellbeing through storytelling and performance projects.;
WAI Women's Art Initiative	$246,019	Manawatū-Whanganui	Online	WAI is a facilitated group of women with experience of violence and abuse. Its members are artists, activists and advocates for social change. It offers a free, safe, resourced drop-in artmaking space, where women create work in a range of media, including clay, print, paint, sculpture, inks, textiles and paper.
Whanganui Creative Space	$102,804	Manawatū-Whanganui		Whanganui Creative Space provides a safe, supportive space and resources for people of all abilities to create art and crafts. Its participants learn new skills and discover their creative side with support from an art tutor to assist their creative goals and journey.
WIDance	$89,549	Wellington	Ōtaki and Horowhenua	Wellington Inclusive Dance (WIDance) challenges perceptions of disability and celebrates the artistic potential of each individual, by providing inclusive dance classes, workshops and performance opportunities. Its dance classes are open to all ages and abilities, and provide a safe, inclusive environment in which participants develop skills in contemporary dance, improvisation and composition.
Zeal Education Trust	$445,504	Auckland	Hamilton, West Auckland and Lower Hutt	Zeal is a not-for-profit youth organisation dedicated to helping young people discover, express and develop their creativity. Its mission is to make creative and transformative spaces and experiences accessible to all young people in Aotearoa. It wants to break down barriers to participation by making its creative programmes affordable and accessible.
TOTAL	$17,108,558