21 Sep 2021
Creative New Zealand has released a new advocacy resource around the role of arts, culture and creativity in promoting the wellbeing of New Zealanders.
The one-page summary is designed to demonstrate the impact and value of engaging in arts, culture and creativity, and support the arts sector in its advocacy work.
Released ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week (27 Sept – 3 October), the resource is centred on Te Whare Tapa Whā model. The model was developed by leading Māori health advocate Sir Mason Durie and provides a holistic framework for understanding different aspects of our wellbeing.
The summary pulls together research from Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world to show the impact arts and culture have on the wellbeing of individuals, whānau and communities.
“The recent lockdown and rise in COVID-19 Alert Levels have reminded us that the arts are a really important part of our wellbeing, and can help us navigate through times of uncertainty,” said David Pannett, Creative New Zealand’s Senior Manager for Strategy and Engagement. “With Mental Health Awareness Week around the corner, we wanted to gather together a snapshot of the great evidence that shows how the arts contribute to so many different aspects of our wellbeing,” added David.
The summary maps evidence against each of the aspects of wellbeing described in Te Whare Tapa Whā model. The short pieces of evidence can be used within presentations, pitches, guidance, speeches and applications to make the case for the valuable ways that arts and cultural activity contribute to our individual and collective wellbeing.
Creative New Zealand will be sharing more about the many ways that arts, culture and creativity support our wellbeing – stay posted on its social channels next week during Mental Health Awareness Week.
For further information on this guidance, please contact our advocacy team at advocacy@creativenz.govt.nz
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