18 Aug 2025
Arts Development Update is our new bi-monthly blog sharing insights from our arts practitioners, capability support and ideas and partnerships driving the mahi. In this first post, we kōrero with jeweller Keri-Mei Zagrobelna about building a sustainable career — and why having a plan is key!
For artists and practitioners, a sustainable career means more than just financial stability (although, let's be real –that’s a critical part!). Careers become sustainable when artists can make long-term decisions and take creative risks without compromising their future and maintaining momentum. Careers become sustainable when artists have access to networks, ongoing opportunities, and support to help them grow and stay visible in the arts sector.
In 2022, Wellington-based jeweller Keri-Mei Zagrobelna (Te Āti Awa and Whānau-ā-Apanui), received support through Creative New Zealand’s Development Fund for Artists and Practitioners. Keri-Mei’s work is both commercial and artistic; she combines making retail jewellery products with commissions, public art, lectures, and tutoring.
With so many creative threads to manage, she wanted a long-term plan that would tie everything together. She teamed up with business mentor Nikki Russo to develop a business plan that would work for her. Together, they tackled everything from production and customer care to business administration.
One big win? A shiny new website!
The fund also helped Keri-Mei work with a web developer to create a website, and she got training to manage it herself. Now, her website shows off the full range of her mahi.
“Creating a website that clearly reflected my mahi was a priority. It took time to bring everything together, but now I can advertise my wide skill base and give myself opportunity to be more sustainable,” says Keri-Mei.
Since then, she has doubled her profit and now stocks her work in 13 retail galleries with six buying her work outright on a wholesale basis. Working with her mentor helped Keri-Mei understand how to approach retailers, manage sales, and meet industry standards – all while staying true to her creative vision!
Belinda Jones, Manager - Development, notes that Keri-Mei's story is a great example of when artists have the right tools to back up their talent and build long-term resilience.
“Sustainability matters because making art isn’t just about creativity, it’s about being able to keep it going. Many artists are strong creatively and would benefit from the skills and structures needed to build and sustain a career,” says Belinda.
Creative New Zealand offers opportunities for artists to apply for creative and professional development as well as targeted support for organisations and groups but even if you’re not currently receiving funding, Belinda says there is still valuable tools through our Sustainable Careers resources.
What’s in the Sustainable Careers Resources?
- Tools to help navigate connectivity with arts organisations, support the arts, mentor others, and getting involved in community arts projects.
- Planning a financial future with tools that match different career stages
- Learning about intellectual property (IP) rights to protect creative work and when to obtain legal advice if artist rights are not respected.
The Development Fund for Artists and Practitioners will open for the second time in 2025 from 15 September 2025. The Fund will be offered once per year from September 2026.
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