We are a national network and resource for anyone interested in the contribution of the arts to health and wellbeing.
Our vision is for a flourishing Aotearoa New Zealand through the arts.
The visual arts offer us all the opportunity to exercise for a creative life. Taking inspiration from the thinking and making skills of artists, interacting with the visual arts enables us to tap into skills important to us all. But what are the skills to focus on when we look at and make art? How are they transferable to other aspects of our... Keep Reading
In these uncertain times, how do teachers support students to make sense of the coronavirus pandemic and give them the tools to navigate the challenges that could come once the... Keep Reading
Kia ora koutou, creative space leaders and colleagues. As creative space leaders, we know that the health-giving values of social connection and inclusive community, nurtured through art-making in the company of others, are vital to the wellbeing of our artists. Keep Reading
The highlight of my working year is the semester I spend tutoring on the Creative Process course at the University of Auckland. It is a general education course, so my students come from all across the University and so bring with them many different lenses to see creativity... Keep Reading
A programme designed by and for its participants is using the arts and creativity to address the challenges faced by women in New Zealand’s justice system and their whānau. Keep Reading
Hon Carmel Sepuloni has asked officials from the Ministry for Arts, Culture and Heritage and the Office for Disability Issues to work on developing an Arts and Wellbeing Strategy, with work due to commence this year. The Minister has said that officials will stay in touch with Te Ora Auaha throughout the process. Keep Reading
Children in arts-rich schools do significantly better at the basics than at schools which focus on measuring literacy and numeracy outcomes., but the arts fell out of favour. The Newsroom article looks at the "near death" of arts in school, the governments disregard for the arts the cost for all young New Zealander. Keep Reading
From 11-13 July 2020 The University of Auckland will host the Disability Studies Conference 2020. The conference is for all people interested in disability and disability issues. The conference will provide space for activists, advocates, allies, educators and researchers to present and discuss innovations, issues, concerns, challenges and... Keep Reading
Mind Over Manner's WITNESS Workshop Mind Over Manner is a charity organisation that presents public workshops to foster theatre for social change. Their objectives are to strengthen communication and connection with teenagers who think, learn and work differently. These teenagers may be undiagnosed high functioning or diagnosed with ... Keep Reading
The Banksia Initiative is an informal cross disciplinary alliance of researchers, educators and artists providing information, strategies and resources to support classroom teachers and communities in recovery from the bushfires. Keep Reading
This professional development workshop from Dance Movement Therapy Association of Australasia will address the ways in which our bodies remember feelings and events even when our conscious minds do not; these body memories may manifest in bodily symptoms, eating disorders, anxiety or injuries. They can be explored and worked through, using the... Keep Reading
Professor Peter O’Connor is intent upon growing the connection between the arts and wellbeing in Aotearoa’s communities and schools. While he’s gaining a lot of support, the one thing still missing is government funding and leadership for those working in the sector. An international expert in applied theatre and a long-time proponent... Keep Reading
Te Ora Auaha
Arts Access Aotearoa