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: Claudia Guthrie, Administrator | 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 |
Quarry Arts Centre
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 Whaiora Support 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, paper-making, clay and bone-carving. A gallery space provides an outlet for its artists to display and sell their work.
Contact: Trish Madison, Centre Manager | 09-437 0467 |
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: Alfred, Arts Facilitator | 09-829 2178
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 Studio
Address: Rocky Nook Bowls, Fowlds Park, Rocky Nook Avenue, Auckland
Spark Studio offers an innovative arts programme for adults with various disabilities. The sessions provide a learning process in visual arts education, especially orientated to the requirements and circumstances of our artists. We also promote and encourage self-development through the vehicle of creative expression. Visit our website.
Contact: Josie Maskell, Arts Administrator | 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 | 64 9 550 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
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: Emma Fletcher | Manager | 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: Diane Nesbitt, Art Tutor | 07-573 7377 |
East Coast
Vanessa Lowndes Turanga Trust
Address: 143 Derby St, Gisborne
We provide day programmes for any person experiencing any type of disability. Our programme includes pottery, ceramics, computing, gardening, cooking, engineering, numeracy and literacy. Visit our website.
Contact: Kemara Keelan, Programme Manager | 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
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 |
Wellington region
Acting Up Charitable Trust
Address: PO Box 9635, Wellington
This creative space offers workshop and performance opportunities in drama, dance and music for people with intellectual impairment and learning difficulties in Wellington City, the Kapiti Coast and the Hutt Valley.
Contact: Madeline McNamara, Co-director | 04-973 1618 |
Alpha Street 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 Petone Art House, 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: Emma Cullen, Manager | 04-385 6428 |
Argo Trust
Address: 95 Aro Street, Aro Valley, Wellington 6021
Argo Trust is a community house whose six residents have profound physical and psychological disabilities. Argo Trust’s aim is to provide a high standard of holistic life experience, including the recognition of spirituality, culture, individuality and the need for dignity. They promote independence in the community. Visit their website.
Contact: Dayna Atkinson, Manager | 04-385 6769 |
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: Liz Sutherland, Co-ordinator | 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 Studio
Address: 1st floor, 250 Cuba Street, Wellington
Pablos Art Studio operates an art studio and the ROAR! gallery in central Wellington. We provide quality art opportunities for individuals who have experience of mental illness. Our aim is to build confidence, and support personal growth and independence through individual artistic development and challenges. Visit our website.
Contact: Gaelen Macdonald, Director | 04-382 8885 |
Take 5 & Te Whare Marama
Address: 212 Knights Rd, Lower Hutt | Wellington
Take 5 & Te Whare Marama is a service for mental health consumers. It offers a range of activities, including art classes, creative workshops, individual projects, lifeskills training and outings within a supportive environment.
Contact: Chris Brown | Art Co-ordinator and tutor | 04 569 3162 |
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 |
Voice Arts Trust
Address: 43 Mana St, Brooklyn
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.
Nelson
Community Art Works
Address: 25 Paruparu Rd, Nelson
Community Art Works is open four half days a week for people with mixed abilities. It caters for approximately 150 people 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
Address: The New Hub, 23 New St, Nelson
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 |
Motueka Arts Council
Address: 1A Blomfield Place, Motueka
This community arts council promotes and encourages the arts by running workshops and events. It also funds group projects in conjunction with Creative Communities Tasman.
Contact: Freda Gerslov, Secretary | 03-528 6510 |
West Coast
Westport Activity Centre
Address: 13 Palmerston St, Westport
The Westport Activity Centre works with people with psychiatric and intellectual disabilities and operates under the umbrella of the Coast Care Trust. It runs a number of activities, including an arts and crafts programme.
Contact: Sharon Renwick, Manager | 03-789 8410 |
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 |
Floyds Creative Arts
Address: 229a Fitzgerald Avenue, Christchurch
Floyds Creative Arts was established as an outlet for people to find a balance in their lives through the medium of art. We are open to the whole community and offer six departments: art, leatherwork, fabric art, woodwork, mahi harakeke raranga (flax weaving) and pottery/ceramics. Visit our website.
Contact: Sarah Thodey, Creative Co-ordinator | 03-365 4849 |
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: 03-332 3179 |
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 | 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 experience mental illness. The aim is to build ownership of clients’ 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 Friday.
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 |
Te Pani Trust
Address: 165 Seaview Rd, Christchurch
Te Pani Trust is a stone sculpture studio catering for marginalised groups as well as the general public. Visit our website.
Contact: Cathy Sweet, Co-ordinator | 03-3885 847 |
Your Studio Trust
Address: Rm 201, Old Botany, The Arts Centre, Christchurch
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 |
Studio 2
Address: 82 Bond Street City: Dunedin | Otago
Studio 2 is an arm of a larger organisation, Connections Education and Development Trust, which provides a range of services for people with disabilities. 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 Studio 2's Trademe listings.
Contact: Bridget Inder, Facilitator | (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, Lead Facilitator | 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 |