27 Mar 2019
Arts Access Aotearoa is calling for nominations to the Arts Access Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award 2019. This award recognises a professional performing arts company, literary organisation, festival, venue, producer or gallery that best demonstrates its commitment to building new audiences by becoming more accessible to disabled and Deaf people.
The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Monday 6 May 2019 (extended from 8 April).
The recipient of this award will receive $4000, to be used to progress its work in improving access to disabled audiences. Previous recipients are eligible for nomination after three years have lapsed (e.g. the 2016 recipient is eligible for nomination in 2019) if it has introduced a series of new initiatives not recognised in its previous award.
Stephen Wainwright, Chief Executive, Creative New Zealand, encourages people to make nominations. “Improving access to the arts is a subject dear to our hearts, so we’re enthusiastic about recognising organisations that are making a difference, by increasing access for all New Zealanders.”
The annual Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards, presented by Arts Access Aotearoa, celebrate the contribution of individuals, groups and organisations in providing access to the arts. They also acknowledge the achievements and contribution of a New Zealand-based artist with a physical, sensory or intellectual impairment, or lived experience of mental ill-health.
The Arts Access Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award is one of six award categories. Last year’s recipient was the Auckland Arts Festival for its leadership, commitment and engagement with Auckland’s disability communities. The result was a massive 806% increase in ticket sales to the Festival’s 2018 accessible events – up from 47 patrons to the 2017 accessible events to 426 patrons in 2018.
The five other award categories are:
- Arts Access Community Arts Award, recognising the outstanding results of a recent collaborative, inclusive arts project. It will have demonstrated a high standard of artistic outcomes and followed best practice in community participation. It will also have directly involved a community or communities that experience barriers to participation in the arts
- Arts Access Artistic Achievement Award, recognising the outstanding achievements and contribution of a New Zealand-based artist, who has a physical, sensory or intellectual impairment, or lived experience of mental ill-health
- Arts Access Holdsworth Creative Space Award, recognising 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
- Arts Access Corrections Māui Tikitiki a Taranga Award, recognising an individual who demonstrates the qualities of Māui (innovation, creativity and leadership) and provides arts programmes in a New Zealand prison that reflect cultural inclusion and diversity. These programmes support and encourage pathways into rehabilitation and reintegration.
- Arts Access Corrections Whai Tikanga Award, recognising the outstanding contribution of a community group, organisation, Māori focus unit or individual working with the Department of Corrections in a prison or community setting, and using the arts and creativity as an integral part of a tikanga programme to encourage a strong cultural identity and support pro-social living.
Each of the six awards has a nomination form. You are able to nominate yourself or others.
For more information and nomination forms, visit the Arts Access Aotearoa website