Welcome to Arts Access Aotearoa
Arts Access Aotearoa | Whakahauhau Katoa o Hanga is a national organisation that strives for a society where all people are able to participate in the arts, whatever their circumstances. We work to increase artistic opportunities for our key stakeholders: individuals and organisations in the community and professional arts sectors; people with physical, sensory or intellectual impairments; and mental health service users. We are also the key organisation in New Zealand facilitating the arts as a tool for change in prisons. Our office is situated in Toi Pōneke, Wellington Arts Centre, Level 3, 61–63 Abel Smith Street. We welcome your interest and . You can receive our monthly and our . 
Latest news
Accessible documentation “easier than you think”
27 April 2012 Kylee Maloney, a specialist in accessible documentation, attended her first Arts For All Wellington Network workshop this month and described the network “as a great forum for networking and empowering people”. View news story...
Fundraising moves ahead for Hairy Maclary sculpture in Tauranga
4 April 2012
Fundraising for the Hairy Maclary and Friends Sculpture Project on Tauranga’s waterfront has taken another step towards meeting its $800,000 budget with a pledge of $50,000 from local engineering consultancy Harrison Grierson. View news story...
Arts For All: a programme encouraging access to arts events
An Arts Access Aotearoa partnership programme with Creative New Zealand is supporting arts organisations, companies, venues and producers to improve their access to disabled audiences. The Arts For All programme was inspired by Arts For All: opening doors to disabled people, a practical guide to enhancing access, published in late 2009. Starting with the Wellington City Council, Arts Access Aotearoa is taking the programme to regions throughout New Zealand and engaging with local councils, representatives from the disability sector, arts organisations and venues. In 2012, Arts Access Aotearoa is offering the Arts For All Wellington Network model to councils in Auckland, Taranaki and Dunedin.
Read more...
In focus
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Gearing up for Big 'A' Awards 2012
Nominations have closed to the Big 'A' Awards 2012 and Arts Access Aotearoa is gearing up for the awards ceremony in the Banquet Hall at Parliament on 18 July. There are six award categories this year, including a new award recognising an outstanding practising disabled artist. The judging panel has met to decide on the recipients, who will be announced at the awards ceremony.
CQ Hotels Wellington a sponsor
Olivier Lacoua’s strong sense of community and his interest in working with the arts community in Wellington are key reasons behind his sponsorship of the Big ‘A’ CQ Hotels Wellington Community Partnership Award, presented annually by Arts Access Aotearoa. Read more.
Music to make change for prisoners
The women wrote songs about their upbringing. Songs of hope and love, loss and hardship. Songs that were “raw and true and real”, says Maisey Rika, one of four musicians who taught songwriting to prisoners as part of a documentary series screening on Maori Television every Sunday night until 10 June. Read more.
Access radio and our communities
“Artists and their work are an integral part of our communities and access radio is a great way for people to hear about their projects,” says Richard Benge, Executive Director of Arts Access Aotearoa. Read more.Matthew Squire's story of two lives
Levin artist Matthew Squire’s autobiography, My Life in Two Forms: Out of the pit and into the light, begins with a life-changing moment. “I found out at the age of 28 that my name was Matthew Squire. I was unconscious for two and a half weeks in hospital. I woke up and didn’t know anyone there.” Read more.
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Noticeboard
- Check out the competitions, events in your region, funding opportunities and other information on our Noticeboard page. For instance, Artstation is seeking artworks from New Zealand youth for an exhibition, "Unbound". Artworks and registration can be sent in from 14 to 28 April 2012. You can read more about this in the "Offers and information" section.
Read more about Noticeboard...
- Check out the competitions, events in your region, funding opportunities and other information on our Noticeboard page. For instance, Artstation is seeking artworks from New Zealand youth for an exhibition, "Unbound". Artworks and registration can be sent in from 14 to 28 April 2012. You can read more about this in the "Offers and information" section.
Creative space profile
- Gallery/Studio2, a Dunedin creative space, has moved into a lighter, brighter and more accessible place in the centre of town.
Read more about Creative space profile...
- Gallery/Studio2, a Dunedin creative space, has moved into a lighter, brighter and more accessible place in the centre of town.