Creative spaces directory

View creative spaces from around New Zealand.They are listed according to region and then alphabetically under that region.

Northland

Blue Goose Papermill Charitable Trust

Address: 300 Otaika Rd, Otaika, Whangarei

The Papermill creates high-quality handmade paper in Whangarei. All the papermakers have an intellectual disability. We recycle used materials and noxious plants into paper of a high standard to educate society about the abilities of people living with a disability. The Papermill is open to individuals, schools, tour buses and other groups to learn hands-on paper-making. They are taught by our artists, who are proud of their skills and keen to pass them on. Visit our website.

Contact: Trees van Ruth, Creative Director | 09 438 2652 |

Circus Kumarani

Address: 14 Parenga Street, Dargaville

This community circus and creative centre is for "all ages and abilities". It also acts as an umbrella organisation for several emerging community circuses in Northland and beyond. Visit our website.

Contact: Jenny Huriwai, Northland Manager | 09 439 5152 |

Nga Kaiwhakairo-a-Opua Trust

Address: 1 Scoresby Street, Opua, Bay of Islands

Nga Kaiwhakario-a-Opua Trust works with youth, teaching bone and wood-carving skills. We make skate boards and many craft works.

Contact: Rob S. Reed | Co-ordinator | 09 402 7256 | | PO Box 129, Paihia 0247

Quarry Arts Centre (Northland Arts Trust)

Address: 21 Selwyn Avenue, Whangarei

We provide a community exhibition/gallery space, art workshops, artist studios, a co-op shop, wood turners studio and a printing studio. Visit our website.

Contact: Claire Nichols, Manager | 09 438 1215 |

Whau Valley Centre; Challenge Trust

Address: 237 Kamo Road, Whau Valley, Whangarei

This community centre includes a creative space for mental health consumers to participate in a range of arts activities, including mosaics, visual arts, clay and bone-carving. A gallery space provides an outlet for its artists to display and sell their work. 

Contact: Trish Madison, Centre Manager | T: 09 437 0467 | F: 09 459 1567 |

Auckland region

Artstation Toi Tu

Address: 1 Ponsonby Road, Auckland

Artstation Toi Tu is a community arts centre, funded by Auckland City Council. We have provided art programmes for more than 25 years, and have five studios and a gallery showing a programme of exhibitions representing the diversity of Auckland. We work in partnership with social service agencies to provide art programmes or resources for marginalised or disadvantaged people. We have also developed a family creative arts programme at Ronald McDonald House. Visit our website.

Contact: John Eaden | Manager | 09 376 3221 |

Hohepa Auckland

Address: 50 Atkinson Road, Titirangi, Auckland

Hohepa Auckland offers opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to live, learn and work with others of all abilities in an atmosphere of mutual care and respect. Examples of art opportunities in our day services include painting, drawing, eurythmy, drama and creativity. Visit our website.

Contact: Silke Carter, Manager | 09 817 3761 |

Hohepa Helios

Address: 18 Barrhead Place, Avondale

Hohepa Helios is a creative space providing arts opportunities for people who live residentially at Hohepa and for independent clients who might live with their family. We primarily work in visual arts and our current focus is pencil work. Visit our website.

Contact: Richelle Davidson, Co-ordinator | 09 829 2178 |

Interacting Disability Arts Theatre Company

Interacting Disability Arts Theatre Company runs weekly drama classes for performers with experience of disabilities in Sandringham and Henderson. It produces and performs two major productions a year, which offer a range of ways to participate – from performing to set and lighting design, costumes and prop making, and layout for posters and flyers. Visit our website.

Contact: Paula Crimmens, Artistic Director | 09 849 5595 |

North Shore Hospital Foundation

Address: North Shore Hospital Campus, Takapuna

The North Shore Hospital Foundation works with local communities, improving hospital and community health services. Its Healing Arts Programme and Art for Social Inclusion Project are creating links in the community and providing access to the arts for thousands of people in contact with the North Shore Hospital. The Foundation values partnerships with creative groups and artists. It also offers opportunities to exhibit art and has a weekly artisan market. Visit our website.

Contact: Jane Hunter, Executive Director | 09 486 8954|

Ranfurly Care Society

Address: 52–56 Ranfurly Road, Epsom, Auckland

The Ranfurly Care Society provides vocational and residential facilities for adults with intellectual impairments. The Activity Centre day service offers a structured timetable that includes a range of arts activities: e.g. drama, music, dance, visual arts and craft. Visit our website.

Contact: Linda Nelson Society Manager | 09 630 3010 | or Clive Backhouse, Co-ordinator, Activity Centre | 09 630 4108 |

Spark Centre of Creative Development

Address: Rocky Nook Bowls, Fowlds Park, Rocky Nook Avenue, Auckland

Spark Centre offers visual arts programmes and activities for artists of all abilities. Particular provision is made for people living with diverse life experience (e.g. disabilities, impairment, or other social and personal needs) but everyone is welcome. Sessions offer an in-depth, person-centred learning in art making and self-development through creative process, delivered in a professional and supportive environment. Visit our website.

Contact: Heather Vermeer|  Public Relations Adviser | 09 845 5361 |

The Depot Artspace

Address: 28 Clarence Street, Devonport, Auckland

The Depot is open and inclusive, encouraging engagement in all artforms. We offer various facilities and services that support the creative community, including four galleries, a recording studio, band rehearsal rooms, a graphic design service at nominal rates, an internet radio station and a comprehensive PACE programme. Visit our website.

Contact: Laurel Belworthy | Gallery Co-ordinator | 09 963 2331 |

Toi Ora Live Art Trust

Address: 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland

Toi Ora Live Arts Trust was established in 1995 to provide creative learning opportunities and space for people living with mental illness. We  provide a programme of classes across artforms, tutored by experienced practitioners. We also offer studio space to people wishing to work on individual or collaborative projects. A diverse range of art materials and resources are available. We have a consumer-driven philosophy and members are able to explore their creative ideas and artistic potential in this supported environment. We have an annual calendar of exhibitions, publications and events. Visit our website.

Contact: Erwin van Asbeck, Manager | 09 360 4171 |

Touch Compass Dance Trust

Address: Classroom 2, Wilson Centre, 1 St Leonard's Rd, Takapuna, North Shore City

Touch Compass Dance Trust is a charitable organisation providing performance and dance training for people of all abilities. Touch Compass aims to break down physical and psychological barriers so all people who have a passion for dance can.  Visit our website.

Contact: Karen Fraser Payne, General Manager | 09 550 6464 |

Way Out West

Address: 6b Paramount Drive | Henderson, Auckland

We are a charitable trust that runs arts training for adults with intellectual disabilities. We have programmes in art, performance and creative writing. Weekly drama classes are held with Interacting Trust. Visit  the  Supported Life website.

Contact: Yolande Palmer, Programme Facilitator | 021 040 3941 |

Youthtown

Address: 68a Nelson Street, Auckland

Youthtown's art studio is a space where children, young people and community groups can come and explore, discover and create. Our programme has a multi-cultural focus with experienced tutors setting appropriate art projects and working alongside participants to support their imagination and creative path. Visit our website.

Contact: Sue Clark, Arts Development Co-ordinator | 09 379 5430 X 805 |

Waikato 

Arts Waikato

Address: 332 Peachgrove Road, Fairfield 3214, Hamilton

Arts Waikato is the region’s community arts trust, offering free advice, support and advocacy. Our focus is community arts groups and the non-commercial arts sector. Our aim is to encourage the development of arts and culture across the region and across all arts areas. Visit our website. Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm.

Contact: Robyn Couchman, Office Manager | T: 07 853 6472 | F: 07 853 6473 | Freephone: 0508 278 792 | E:

Artists in the Making

Address: 4 Arthur St, Whitianga, Coromandel

Artists in the Making is a support service for people with any type of disability and is run by the Coromandel Independent Living Trust. We meet two days a week to do art activities, including mosaics, china painting and craft.

Contact: Anne Bowden, Co-ordinator | 07 866 0032 |  

Lifestyle Trust

Address: 28 Dinsdale Road, Hamilton

Lifestyle Trust assists people with disabilities to lead lives that have meaning for them, with no limits on what might be possible. Each of our three community centres has a small creative space. Visit our website.

Contact: John Smith, Operations Manager | 07 847 4255 X 705 |

Sandz Gallery and Studio

Address: 6 Kent St, Frankton Village, Hamilton

This gallery and studio supports artists with intellectual disabilities to become independent artists and promotes their work as an integral part of contemporary art.

Contact: Lorraine Pemberton | Team Leader | 07 847 4344 |

Bay of Plenty

Arohanui Art and Education Trust

Address: 72 Commerce Lane, Te Puke

Arohanui Art and Education Trust is a day service for adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. Our programme is varied, providing community involvement, an art programme, gardening, drama, computers, music and many other activities as requested. Visit our website.

Contact: Jacky Levien, Coordinator | 07 573 7377 |

Turning Point Trust

Address: The Historic Village on 17th, 17th Avenue, Greerton, Tauranga

Established in 1996, Turning Point is a mental health recovery centre offering a range of services to people with mental health and addiction issues. Central to these services is our artspace and gallery, Mind’s Eye.  Expert tutors support people to express their creativity through a range of artistic media including visual and 3D works, fabric, recycling, computers, and mosaics, the theme being 'anything you can conceive you can create'. People express their abilities for pleasure, for sales or for therapeutic creation. Visit us at the Historic Village in Tauranga or on our website.

Contact: Arlene Foster, General Manager | 07 578 6934 |

East Coast

Vanessa Lowndes Turanga Trust

Address: 143 Derby St, Gisborne

We provide day programmes for any person experiencing a physical or intellectual impairment. Our programme includes pottery, computing, gardening, cooking, engineering, numeracy and literacy. Visit our website.

Contact: Laura Biddle, Programme Co-ordinator | 06 868 4232 |

Hawke's Bay

Hohepa Hawke's Bay

Address: 363 State Highway 2, Main Rd, Clive, Hawke's Bay

Our community life involves people with intellectual disabilities in daily vocational programmes, ranging from craft skills in weaving and feltmaking to wood work, candlemaking, farming and stone carving. We offer Life Plans for personal development and achievement in these vocational areas, and these plans are linked to NZQA accredited courses and certificates. Products from the farm and craft studios are sold through the onsite shop. Visit our website.

Contact: Andy White, General Manager | 06 870 0426 |

RealPeople @ Mosaic

Address: 429a Gloucester Street, Taradale, Napier

RealPeople @ Mosaic is a home for artists with disabilities, a creative space, art gallery and lifeskills education centre. Its Winebox Auction is an established event on the Hawke's Bay art calendar and the education programme features courses in art, life skills, bone carving, sculpture, toi Maori, painting and computers.  Visit our website.

Contact: Leighann Coleman, Manager | 06 844 4636 |

Manawatu-Whanganui

Manawatu Supporting Families

Address: 3rd Floor, 151 The Square, Palmerston North

Manawatu Supporting Families has a drop-in centre for people with experience of mental ill-health. We offer a range of art media, including oils, acrylics, water colours, glass paints and pastels, plus bone carving, clay moulding and all associated equipment for these activities. Free coffee, tea, milo and a warm friendly environment. Visit our website.

Contact: Jonathan Fox, Consumer Peer Support Co-ordinator | 06 355 8561 |

Creative Journeys

Address: Square Edge Building Courtyard, 52 The Square, Palmerston North

Creative Journeys runs art groups for adults with disabilities, covering painting, dance, drama and mixed media art. Sessions run Monday to Thursday from 9am to 3pm. The cost is $55 per day + GST. Some funding may be available.
Their shop, Creative Journeys End, sells the art works and produce made at group sessions and is open Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm.

Contact: Debbie Harris and Norma Wilson, Co-directors | 06 355 5947 |

Jorjaz Dance Crew

Address: Baptist Church Hall, 15 Ascot Street, Palmerston North

This is a dance group for people with intellectual disabilities. The group meets on Saturday mornings for sessions with one or two tutors. Participants will be allocated to one of two groups. Participants are given opportunities to perform publicly. Session fees are $5 and no prior dance experience is required.

Contact: Kathy Bergerson, Manager | 06 354 9818 | 

Whanganui Creative Space

Address: Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay, Whanganui

Whanganui Creative Space is an inclusive arts and crafts space which aims to provide a supportive and accessible environment where people from all walks of life can make art and new friends. Participants have the opportunity to design their own plan with the help of a professional art tutor. A range of media and art making techniques are on offer, including mask making, painting with watercolour, papier mâché, clay work, flax weaving and making mosaics. Sessions are free and run every Wednesday morning from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Contact: Corrie Struijck, Chair | 06 345 2218 | 

Wellington region

Acting Up Charitable Trust

Address: PO Box 9635, Wellington

This creative space offers workshop and performance opportunities in drama and music for people with intellectual impairment and learning difficulties in the Wellington region.

Contact: Madeline McNamara, Co-director | 04 973 1618 |

Alpha Art Studio

Address: 3-5 Alpha Street, Wellington

This is a space for artists with intellectual disabilities to develop their artistic skills in the visual arts, crafts and performing arts. Like Dudley Arthouse, it is funded by IDEA Services and provides a safe, supportive environment for artists to work on their individual projects. There is also a gallery, which is open to the public. Community participation and involvement is encouraged.

Contact: Joanne Ridley, Co-ordinator | 04 385 6428 |

Dudley Arthouse

Address: 2 Dudley St, Lower Hutt

The Dudley Arthouse (formerly Petone Arthouse) is a space for artists with intellectual disabilities to develop their artistic skills. It provides a safe supportive environment for artists to work on their individual projects. Its gallery is open to the public and visitors are welcome to view and buy the artists' work. Community participation and involvement is encouraged.
Contact: Marise Hare, Team Leader | 04 566 8420 |

King Street Artworks

Address: 21 King Street, Masterton, Wairarapa

King Street Artworks promotes wellbeing in the community through creative expression and aims to reduce the stigma attached to disabilities. We have an open-door policy and our participants create bone carvings, paintings, textiles, illustrations and so on. Visit our website.

Contact: Ian Chapman, Co-ordinator | 06 378 9777 |

Pablos Art Studios

Address: 189-193 Vivian Street (Corner Vivian and Victoria Sts), Wellington

Pablos Art Studios Incorporated uses art and creative exploration to encourage people with experience of mental illness to transform their lives and re-engage in the wider community. Pablos Art Studio was established in 1993. Today the studio accommodates over 110 artists a year who access quality art opportunities in an environment that acknowledges career, personal and social needs and encourages connections and a sense of value for our artists in the wider community. ROAR! gallery is a professional gallery and exhibition space that supports artists with limited access to traditional dealer galleries. It was New Zealand's first gallery to promote Outsider Art. Visit our website.

Contact: Gaelen Macdonald, Director | 04 382 8885 |

Take 5 & Te Whare Marama

Vincents Art Workshop

Address: Level 4, 84 Willis Street, Wellington

Vincents Art Workshop was set up in 1985. It provides access to arts and craft facilities, skilled tuition and materials within a supportive environment. People with disabilities and other people from the community are all welcome. We provide a good example of community integration. Visit our website.

Contact: Glen McDonald, Co-ordinator | 04-499 1030 | vincentsartworkshop@xtra.co.nz

Voice Arts Trust

Address: 85 Totara Road, Miramar, Wellington 6002

Using the art of performance, we deliver projects that are community based, participant driven and focused on creating original theatre that gives voice to isolated and at risk groups within our community. View our website.

Contact: Nicola Pauling, Director | 04-973 0022 |

Nelson

Community Art Works

Address: 25 Paruparu Rd, Nelson

Community Art Works is open for morning sessions from 10am to noon and afternoon sessions from 1pm to 3pm four days a week, and just for the afternoon session on Tuesdays. It caters for approximately 150 people with mixed abilities every week and sessions run throughout the year. It is staffed by several professional artists, who are experienced teachers and have a passion to share their skills with people. View our website.

Contact: Faye Wulff, Co-ordinator | 03 545 9976 |

Magenta Creative Space Charitable Trust

Address: St John's Church, 320 Hardy Street, Nelson 7010

Magenta Creative Space is an art studio for people with experience of mental ill-health. A charitable trust established in 2002, Magenta is not an art therapy institution but the artists who attend do find it therapeutic. It is a place where they can relax, meet new people, and be challenged and extended by learning new art-making techniques and skills.

Contact: Fiona Shaw, Chair | 03 545 8498 |

Canterbury

A Different Light Theatre Trust

Address: 2/12 Hewitts Rd, Merivale, Christchurch

A Different Light Theatre Trust explores the possibilities of performance. This includes innovative performance practice and the possibilties of performance with people categorised as having a disability.

Contact: Tony McCaffrey, Artistic Director | 03 940 8000 |

Hohepa Canterbury

Address: 23 Barrington Street, Christchurch

At Hohepa Canterbury, approximately 70 residents and numerous day attendees participate in a wide range of educational, sporting, cultural and community participation activities. We offer art, speech and drama, and singing. Singing is very popular and a choir provides performances for special occasions. 

Contact: Christina Reimer, Community Partnership Manager | 03 332 0441 |

Jolt Dance

Address: 20 Vernon Terrace, Hillsborough, Christchurch

Jolt Dance was established in 2001 to give people with disabilities a creative voice and to promote integrated dance in New Zealand. Jolt offers ongoing dance training for all ages and ablities, and has an established performance company creating original works. In 2007, we established a youth company. Our vision is to celebrate difference and challenge perspectives about dance and disability. Visit our website.

Contact: Lyn Cotton, Artistic Director | 03 332 0074 |

101 Mental Health Activity Centre

Address: 24a Church Street, Timaru

The 101 Mental Health Activity Centre is a consumer-run drop-in and activity centre for people who have experienced mental illness. The aim is the empowerment of consumers to build their own self-determined recovery through support and advocacy. Activities include arts and crafts, writing, carving, computer studies, and so much more.
They are open from 10am to 3pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 1pm on Saturday.

Contact: Mark Bourassa | 03 688 9454 |

Skillwise

Address: Level 2, 106 Gloucester St, Christchurch

Skillwise works with adults who have intellectual disabilities. It offers a range of activities and learning opportunities. Its comprehensive arts programme includes photography, pottery, theatre and visual art. It works with a number of organsiations to showcase the work of its artists. Visit its website.

Contact: John Grant, General Manager | 03 365 5066 |

Your Studio Trust

Address: temporary premises

Your Studio Trust offers fine art tuition to people with intellectual and/or psychiatric disabilities. Classes run twice daily in a small-group environment. The focus is primarily two-dimensional in oil, acrylic, ink, watercolour painting, graphite and charcoal.Through these media, our students are encouraged to express themselves creatively while developing a sense of achievement, pride and self-respect.

Contact: Steve Motley, Senior Tutor | 03 365 3701 |

Otago

Artsenta

Address: 81 Crawford Street, Dunedin

Artsenta is a shared art studio for people within the mental health community. The staff team has a wide variety of skills to share and we also invite local artists/tutors to provide workshops. We provide materials, equipment and tuition for a number of creative activities. There is no charge to come to Artsenta. We cater for people who like to work in all sorts of ways - from individual work to group activities. Visit our website.

Contact: Jill Thomson, Director | 03 477 9566 |

Art Space

Address: King Edward Court, Stuart Street City: Dunedin | Otago

This is a space for artists with intellectual disabilities to develop their artistic skills in painting, pottery, mask-making, mosaics, sculpture and wearable arts. Funded by IDEA Services, Art Space provides a safe, supportive environment for participants. It holds an annual exhibition, and community participation and involvement is encouraged.

Contact: Vicki Begg, Manager, IDEA Services | 03 466 3850 | 

Gallery/Studio 2

Address: 83 Moray Place, Dunedin

Gallery/Studio 2 is an arm of a larger organisation, Connections Education and Development Trust, which provides a range of services for people with disabilities. Gallery/Studio 2 runs an art programme, which includes painting, drawing, print-making, sculpture and weaving. One of its aims is to encourage its artists to work independently and help them sell their work. View Gallery/Studio 2's Trademe listings.

Contact: Bridget Inder, Manager | 03 474 5949 | 

Southland

CS Art Creative Space

Address: WEA Centre, 100 Esk Street, Invercargill

CS Art Creative Space caters for people with limited access to the arts. We run four studio sessions a week, currently attended by 20 artists. We also present at least one exhibition every year, in October, showing the artists' work.

Contact: Michelle Dawson, trustee | 03 221 7203 |

Mental Health Day Activity Centres

Addresses: Rata House, 59 MacMaster Street, Invercargill
                      494D, 494 Dee Street, Invercargill 
                      Welcome In, 37 Hokonui Drive, Gore

There are three Mental Health Day Activity Centres in Southland. We provide an activity-based rehabilitation service with flexible and varied programmes of activities, including the arts. We aim to provide a safe environment for mutual support and information exchange, and to help people overcome social isolation.

Contact: Raewyn Clarke, Team Manager | 03 214 2209, 027 437 5703 |