Strategy work forges ahead

2 March 2009
Work developing a National Prison Arts Strategy and individual arts plans for prisons is forging ahead. Christchurch-based Moana Tipa, Auckland-based Suzanne Vesty of Spark Studio and Wellington-based Marianne Taylor are working with Colin Ryder, Senior Contract Business Analyst, Department of Corrections, on this significant initiative.

Moana Tipa

Moana Tipa (Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Ngati Kahungunu, Celt) is the initiative’s strategic developer and prison arts advisor  for the Southern Region and Central Region prisons. She has worked among iwi and the arts community for more than 25 years. In 2001, Moana developed a pilot arts programme for the Department of Corrections to trial with prisoners. The pilot has evolved to become a recognised programme, which Moana has been facilitating for the past four years in Canterbury prisons.

Last year, Moana was awarded The Big ‘A’ Prison Arts Tutor Award 2008, presented by Arts Access Aotearoa to recognise her outstanding contribution to the rehabilitation of Canterbury prisoners through the arts.

Suzanne Vesty

Suzanne Vesty of Spark Studio is the initiative’s prison arts advisor for the Northern Region prisons. Suzanne is Director of Spark Studio, an Auckland creative space offering an innovative art programme for adults with disabilities. She has 29 years’ professional experience as an adult educator, therapist and consultant in creativity-centred human development, and has been a registered celebrant for 21 years.  She has conceived and directed many innovative, creative programmes in communities.

A practising artist who exhibits her work, she also has an extensive background in community-based theatre. In recent years, she gained her Master of Applied Science (Social ecology: Major cultural action), Master of Fine Arts and Diploma in Teaching, and became a registered art therapist.

Marianne Taylor

Marianne Taylor will direct and manage the activities associated with this initiative to ensure its success. She is also the prison arts advisor for the Central Region prisons, engaging directly with the New Plymouth, Manawatu, Wanganui and Hawke’s Bay prisons.

Marianne trained in project management through the International Project Management Institute, and has extensive experience in managing stakeholder expectations and organising arts-based projects. She has directed and facilitated arts festivals and events, and worked as a theatre lighting designer for the past ten years. Her arts expertise is centred on the performing arts, technical theatre and working with people in the disability sector. She was appointed Executive Director of Arts Access Aotearoa in May 2008.