Art Inside podcast series

Arts Access Aotearoa has launched Art Inside, a seven-part audio series, featuring artists who deliver arts programmes to people in New Zealand prisons and former prisoners whose lives have been transformed through the arts.

Art Inside is produced by Arts Access Aotearoa’s Sophie Macdonald and presented by Neil Wallace, Arts in Corrections Advisor Kaiārahi a Toi Ara Poutama at Arts Access Aotearoa.

“The arts – painting, music, whakairo, dance, writing, kapa haka, theatre – connect and heal us. They help us understand different perspectives,” Neil says. “Importantly, they also develop our communication and problem-solving skills, enhance innovative thinking and help us approach challenges with a fresh set of eyes.”

The series will complement the publication of a practical online guide for arts practitioners wanting to deliver arts programmes in prisons across New Ze aland. The guide is being developed by Arts Access Aotearoa and funded by Manatū Taonga, Ministry for Culture and Heritage in partnership with Ara Poutama Aotearoa the Department of Corrections.

The first episode, Connection and self-care with Beth Hill, features a conversation with Beth, arts tutor at Northland Region Corrections Facility. Beth has more than 10 years’ experience bringing the benefits of the arts to the tāne in the Far North.

A new episode will be released every month until August. In our second episode, Hone Fletcher's talks to Neill Wallace about the Hokai Rangi Strategy and the importance of elevating the voices of people in the frontline.

Watch out for Neil's conversation with Dargaville carver Mark Lang, whose life has been transformed as a result of his time, firstly in Northland Region Corrrections Facility and then in Hawkes Bay Regional Prison.

Art Inside is available on all major streaming platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Apple Podcasts.