Creative Spaces initiative funding recipients

Recipient

Total funding
over three years

Region

Description

Art for All Trust 

$228,960 

Auckland 

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 

Hokitika 

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. 

Artists in the Making 

$244,509 

Coromandel 

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. 

Cantabrainers Therapeutic Choir Charitable Trust

$143,400 

Christchurch

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. 

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. 

Creative Arts Trust (Artsenta)

$431,125

Dunedin

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 Kids Trust Board

$415,872 

Blenheim 

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.  

Crescendo Trust of Aotearoa

$291,012 

Auckland

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. 

Fareham Creative Space Trust

$382,760

Featherston

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 

Warkworth

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. 

Interacting

$62,400

Auckland

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 

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. 

Kāpiti Art Studio

$387,104

Paraparaumu

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

Christchurch

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.

$450,000

Ōtaki

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

Lower Hutt

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

Havelock North

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.

Pablos Art Studio Incorporated

$321,750

Wellington

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

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.

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.

Te Kāhui

$332,540

Auckland

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 Whare Roimata Trust / Linwood Arts Centre

$306,245

Christchurch

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

Ngāruawāhia

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 White Room Creative Space

$242,300 

Christchurch

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

Te Kauwhata

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

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

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.;

Whanganui Creative Space

$102,804

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

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

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 ROUND TWO

$11.37 million

Recipient

Total funding
over three years

Region

Description

Art - East

$231,604

Christchurch

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.

Arts for Health Community Trust

$448,604

Hamilton

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 Trust

$70,200

Christchurch

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. 

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. 

Connect the Dots

$381,635

Auckland

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 Collaborative

$447,525

North Shore, Auckland

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 Sounds Society Inc (The Stomach)

$190,200

Palmerston North

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. 

Estuary Arts Charitable Trust

$50,220

Orewa, 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. 

Home Ground

$357,408

Wellington

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. 

Kākano Youth Arts 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. 

Ōtautahi Creative Spaces Trust

$450,000

Phillipstown, Chritchurch

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. 

Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust

$450,000

Auckland

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.  

Studio 2 / The Margaret Freeman Gallery

$268,299

Dunedin

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

Paraparaumu

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 Karanga Charitable Trust

$426,120

Auckland

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 and Arts Trust

$355,840

Northland

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. 

The Shed Project

$447,945

Paraparaumau

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. 

WAI - the Women's Art Initiative

$246,019

Palmerston North

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.  

TOTAL ROUND ONE

$5.75 million