Auckland Creative Access Network

This is the page of Auckland's Creative Access Network (CAN), a group that meets four times a year to share information and resources, and discuss issues. The members of CAN are united by a common purpose: supporting access to the arts for everyone. Arts Access Aotearoa is supporting CAN by updating this page, when required.

Next CAN meeting

The next meeting of Auckland's Creative Access Network will be held from 2pm to 5pm on Tuesday 6 March at Artstation in Ponsonby Road, Auckland. 

Call for nominations to Big ‘A’ Creative Space Award

22 February 2012
Arts Access Aotearoa is calling for nominations to the Big ‘A’ Awards 2012, which includes the Big ‘A’ Creative Space Award. You can nominate a creative space you’re involved in – or a creative space you know about.

This award celebrates the outstanding contribution and impact of a creative space that provides opportunities for people with limited access to make art, across any or all artforms.                     

There are six award categories and each of the six awards has a nomination form. You are able to nominate yourself or others. Previous finalists and nominees are eligible and previous recipients are able to apply for another award: e.g. the Big ‘A’ Community Partnership Award.

The deadline for nominations to be received is 5pm Friday 23 March 2012.

The Big ‘A’ Creative Space Award 2011 was awarded to King Street Artworks. Director Ian Chapman says:

“All at King Street Artworks are very proud of winning the Big ‘A’ Creative Space Award 2011. The award recognised the 14 years of work around destigmatisation and inclusion, and it couldn’t have come a better time for King Street Artworks as it placed us the national stage during contract negotiations with our key funder. King Street’s model of early intervention and self-directed care through community, activity and inclusion is a model that works extremely well. What would New Zealand be like if every town had one?”

Toi Ora Live Art Trust in Auckland was the 2010 recipient and its Manager, Erwin Van Asbeck, said at the time:

"It was a fantastic feeling for Toi Ora to win the Big ‘A’ Creative Space Award. It has given the people here a real sense of pride and optimism in receiving this recognition, and being part of an extended arts network in Aotearoa. I’m sure it has provided leverage in our recent contract negotiations with our funders, demonstrating our ability to be effective arts providers. It will also help with future funding applications and in developing our local community and business links. The award hangs on the wall for all to see.”

The recipient of this award receives $500. In addition, up to two representatives will be hosted to attend the awards ceremony at Parliament.

For more information and nomination forms.

Or contact Pippa Sanderson at Arts Access Aotearoa (T: 04 802 4349 E: ).

The benefits of a regional network

1 November 2011
When and why was the Auckland CAN set up? How has the Auckland CAN developed over time? What are some of the challenges? And what are the benefits of a regional network?

A Q and A profile of CAN answers these and other questions. As to the benefits of such a network, the answer is:  “It’s the support that a network provides – talking face to face; sharing resources and information about funding and arts policies; discussing challenges; attending each other’s events; and seeing each other’s facilities as we rotate the meetings. It’s also about having some fun, getting away from your daily routine, and being energised by what you see and hear.” Read the full Q and A interview with CAN.

CAN members had an early start on Sunday 30 October 2011, with a Pecha Kucha format presentation at the InterACT Disability Arts Festival held at the Corban's Estate Art Centre in Henderson. There were seven presentations that demonstrated the work of creative spaces and community arts organisations working with disabled artists and people with limited access.

"It was a great sharing of each other's strengths, best examples of the artists' works and how we can support each other," Ricvhard says.

Presentations were made by Toi Ora Live Art Trust, Hotspot Productions, YouthTown, Arts Access Aotearoa, Touch Compass, Sandz Studio and Gallery (Hamilton), and Giant Leap Foundation - Deaf Artists Network.

Profiling creative spaces in Auckland

Arts Access Aotearoa has profiled more than 20 creative spaces throughout New Zealand. We would like to build our profiles of Auckland creative spaces. Please contact us if you would like your space to be profiled on our website.

Accessible art in Auckland

“Toi tu” means to be upstanding in art and this captures the essence of Artstation toi tu’s activities. Making art accessible for all, fostering the arts and making opportunities for participation in the visual arts is what this Auckland community arts centre is all about. Read more.

News stories about your activities

Arts Access Aotearoa writes news stories and post these on our website and, sometimes, on The Big Idea website. We also provide links to these stories on Facebook and Twitter.

Here, for instance, is a recent story about Toi Ora Live Art Trust and its annual group show.

Please contact Iona with your newsworthy stories.