Increasing access to the arts for everyone
At Arts Access Aotearoa Putanga Toi ki Aotearoa, our purpose is to increase access to the arts for everyone in Aotearoa, particularly people who face access barriers. We work with the Deaf and disabled communities, support a national network of creative spaces, and encourage accessibility in the arts and cultural sectors. We also partner with Ara Poutama Aotearoa Department of Corrections, advocating for the arts as a tool for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Through advocacy and community partnerships, we champion the arts as a basic human right.
Our programmes
We work in partnership to improve access across the arts sector. Explore our core programmes:
Arts For All Network
We work with arts organisations to improve access for Deaf and disabled people as artists and audiences.
Creative Spaces Network
We connect and support 65 creative spaces across the motu, providing leadership and professional development tools.
Arts in Corrections
We advise and support arts programmes in prisons and Community Corrections across Aotearoa.
Taha Hotu
Taha Hotu Deaf and disabled artist initiative is a community-led initiative supporting Deaf and disabled artists in their work across the motu.
Celebrating 30 years of impact
Since 1995, Arts Access Aotearoa has been leading the way in arts accessibility across Aotearoa. We champion inclusion, advocate for change, and work in partnership to ensure everyone can engage in the arts. Explore the stories, our milestones and impact of advocating for access to the arts for the past three decades.
Our impact in numbers
30 years providing national leadership in arts accessibility.
40,000+ people attending creative spaces each year.
300+ accessible events delivered annually across the motu.
970+ individuals and organisations in the Arts For All Network.
Latest stories
Voices from our communities, stories and arts news.
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