“From funny to heart breaking, the stories of people with cerebral palsy and those who advocate for them are told in a new verbatim play called Squeaky Wheel.” - RNZ, April 4th 2021 Listen to the full RNZ interview here. In 2013 I was in the NICU with my brand new 25-week old premature baby and received the news she had suffered a... Keep Reading
At the start of 2020, The Drama Workshop and Hawkes Bay Youth Theatre, a performing arts school for children and young people, was working on several local projects. Rehearsals were underway for three plays with the junior groups and three plays with the seniors. Keep Reading
Over the past few weeks during an unprecedented global pandemic the arts have made a profound contribution to our wellbeing. In our homes, garden sheds, workplaces and neighbourhoods, they have helped us to laugh, cry, make sense of our experience, cope with isolation and anxiety, and mobilise vital community support networks. A good deal... Keep Reading
Researchers in schools post disaster and arts education experts at the University of Auckland partnered with the Principal’s Federation, NZEI, The Sir John Kirwan Foundation and UNESCO NZ to create Te Rito Toi (www.teritotoi.org) an on line resource to help teachers use the arts and wellbeing as the centre of the return to... 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
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
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
A trial programme, grounded in kaupapa Māori values and using creativity, storytelling and digital skills, has been described by one Otago Corrections Facility staff member as “a massive opportunity to engage our Māori learners, particularly the young men... Keep Reading
There is a substantial and growing body of evidence for the ways in which participation in the arts can contribute to the wellbeing of young people. Fortunately, Tāmaki Makaurau|Auckland is home to diverse, innovative and creatively rich arts and wellbeing practices specifically for youth. Keep Reading
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