Travel arts + community research
New Zealand
It’s very useful to have had done some prior research to arriving in Wellington on the organisations, festivals, resources, volunteering opportunities, events and even yoga studios that are of interest.
A useful way I conducted this research was through exploring who the funding bodies are funding things of interest, and then exploring the other initiatives they fund. Through this I was able to learn a lot more about what the policy is in government as well as the kind of programs that have access, as well as attitudes towards access.
Today I visited with Iona Mcnaughton who is the communications manager at Arts Access Aotearoa. She was kind enough to speak to me about the organisation, it’s history and change over the last 10 years and her previous experience in the private art sector at Creative New Zealand. It was interesting of course to hear of some her experience, especially in the sense she gave of how much further she would like things to go for arts access.
I found I was under prepared for this informal meeting and had only general questions to ask. You ask a general question and you get a general answer. When I try and prepare for a meeting like this I skim a lot of content by the person/organisation but it does seem that when there’s not enough of my own research questions, then it’s only generalities I float within.
What is a research question? How does one develop? What nutrution does it need to grow?
And after meetings, like the one’s I have had today, where these questions are asked and teased out and reformed by the experts, does one do next?
AND how does this all relate to the career one hopes to have after this extended research and short-term work/voluntary experiences (which my mother may refer to as a second gap year)?
I would like to write this article on these concerns.
My notes as stands are as follows:
MEDITATION:
· Whirling Dervish Turning offered as part of the Wellington Study Group’s program which is a non-religious group dedicated ‘to living more in the present moment and coming to rest in our true selves’
o http://www.wellingtonstudygroup.org.nz/Whirling-Dervish-Turning
o INQUIRIES about watching the turning ceremony or about learning, please telephone during evenings or email:
Kieron 021 910 403 horidek@actrix.co.nz
o Only instruct on turning from time to time
VOLUNTEERING:
· Vincents Art Workshop, longstanding workshop for community integrations, focus on mental illness. Free workshops almost every day of the week- go along and see what they’re doing and if I can help
o Willis St Village, 5 / 148 Willis Street, Wellington.
o Contact email vincentsartworkshop@xtra.co.nz
o Mini doc on them https://youtu.be/xX5E8QtiRqc
· Newlands Community Centre has a weekly ‘arty’ drop in, can offer my services?
o Currently Weds 1pm-3pm, 9 Batchelor Street, Newlands, Wellington 6037
o Friday Community Lunch - Organised by Newlands Community House, this is a great opportunity for older people in our community to come along for friendship and food. Volunteers cook and serve a delicious healthy meal at 12 noon every Friday
o For more updates see their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pg/NewlandsCommunityCentre/posts/?ref=page_internal
· StarJam are a group which facilitates people with learning disabilities in music and performance, volunteer and maybe do a class? https://www.starjam.org//
o Paid tutor roles https://www.starjam.org/be-involved/be-a-tutor/
o General volunteer as well would be good, if not volunteering or tutoring a workshop! https://www.starjam.org/be-involved/be-a-volunteer/ reach out at info@starjam.org
· Karori Community Centre
o Are you interested in volunteering? Assisting with groups or events, Working in the office or On the Management Committee? volunteering your time and skills – we’d love to hear from you. Contact us on manager@karoricommunitycentre.org.nz or phone 476 4968
o 7 Beauchamp Street (behind Mobil) Karori, Wellington
o Monday - Friday 9:30am - 2pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 6pm
· SitDancing,
o where folk dancing is adapted for people who need to sit
o around lots of rest homes
o by Marcel Baaijens
RUNNING WORKSHOPS:
· Wellington World Dance Group, part of Folk Dance New Zealand
o Has 2 monthly classes, members are invited to teach as well
o Their website also lists other ethnic dance events – so could use them to advertise
· Karori Community Centre (George’s parents neighbourhood!)
o Rents rooms for $15-24/hour! So cheap, can teach there if I drum up enough interest! Book here https://www.karoricommunitycentre.org.nz/services
HOBBIES:
· Karori Farmers Market
o Check out the fresh produce and enjoy the weekend vibe
o In the Carpark and the Avenue in front of the Events Centre
o Sunday 8am-2pm
· Karori Community Centre, They are very active with things https://www.karoricommunitycentre.org.nz/regular-events
o Fitness and Boxing Classes running weekly.
§ This fun class is suitable for all ages and abilities. Come along for a great stress buster that works all of the major muscle groups and develops your coordination, balance and timing.
§ Wednesdays, 7.30-8.30pm Meeting Room 3
§ Contact: scotttilley@hotmail.com (Scott Tilley)
§ Cost: $10 (per session)
o Karori Fabric Re-Purpose
§ Get creative, help the community and learn some great new skills in this fun group.
§ Mondays, 10am-1pm
§ Contact: Davina Paverd 021 213 0232
o Drop-in Centre
§ If you’re feeling like some good company and a warm, welcoming place to be - join us for a friendly chat, toasted sandwich, cake and a cuppa
§ Meeting Room 1
§ No bookings required
§ Thursday and Friday, 10am-2pm
§ Cost: $4
· Wellington World Dance Group
o This lists a lot of other interesting dance groups http://www.folkdance.org.nz/resources.html#WellingtonTraining
o St Barnabas Hall, 35 Box Hill, Khandallah (to be confirmed for 2020)
o $5/session
o Contact Michele Dickson, phone: (04)972-2350, e-mail: micheledickson21@gmail.com
· Do some embroidering, Mana Embroiderers guild
o Contact at managuild@gmail.com
o Held at: Tawa Community Centre Board Room
5 Cambridge Street, Tawa, Wellington 5028
o Their calendar on their website https://www.embroiderynz.co.nz/calendar
· Island Bay arts and Crafts Society, Members meet to exchange ideas about projects and participate in arts and crafts workshops.
o When: 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 2.00-4.30 pm
o Where: Island Bay Community Centre
· FRUIT & VEGE CO-OP WELLINGTON REGION, would be a good place to shop and volunteer to do with produce
o https://www.commonunityproject.org.nz/about
§ Had a really useful list of everyone who funds them[i] at the bottom of this page, which I then started to pursue COULD RESEARCH MORE
WALKS:
FESTIVALS:
· Wellington Fringe Festival, 28th Feb - 21st March 2020, program announced 4th Dec, worth going to on the weekends away from the farm!
o https://www.fringe.co.nz/about-us/volunteer
· Island Bay is a community festival with stalls from lots of community groups showcasing their work, festival is on 8th and 9th feb and are accepting volunteers
o Go to this fest or volunteer!
o https://www.islandbayfestival.org.nz/volunteer
EVENTS:
· See deaf show ‘Dimanche’ on Fri 13th March 5pm for interpreted artist talk afterwards
o 7pm-9pm, $20, info at https://artsaccess.org.nz/events/dimanche-audiences-who-are-deaf-can-attend-any-performance.
o TSB Bank Arena
4 Queens Wharf, Wellington, 6011 Wellington
· Crip the Lit event, poetry events on disability in Wellington
INFO GATHERING FOR CAREER:
· SEE EMAILS FROM CHRIS RITCHIE
o VOLUNTEER PAGE
o SOMETHING ELSE
o MAYBE ONE MORE
· George’s cousin Sophi Karin, contact, you should chat to her as she was involved in the community arts/creative scene here in Wellie when living here. Also a journalist friend of ours may be able to provide some insight/contacts so will get him around for dinner when you’re here xx
· Iona McNaughton from Arts Access Aoteroa, Cam’s family friend.
· Arts For All Wellington Network, become member:
o ‘Individuals and organisations interested in arts, disability and accessibility are welcome to join the Arts For All Wellington Network. Please contact Stace Robertson, Access, Inclusion and Participation Advisor, Arts Access Aotearoa (T: 04 802 4349 E: stace.robertson@artsaccess.org.nz ).
o Also worth talking to the other staff members? See them and all the things they do for the organization here https://artsaccess.org.nz/contact?src=nav
§ Executive Director
§ Business Administrator
§ Finance Manager
§ Access and Participation Advisor
§ Creative Spaces Advisor
§ Arts in Corrections Advisor
§ Communications Manager
· Arts Access Aotearoa, increasing access to the arts EMAILED IONA MCNAUGHTON, WHO IS COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
o Check this great guide for the benefits of marketing the arts to disabled people, and includes both practical and longer-term steps you can take to provide access. https://artsaccess.org.nz/arts-for-all/uploads/sites/artsaccess/files/images/2014%20creative%20spaces/Arts_For_All_Final_Website_Dec_2014.pdf
o They offer free promotion:
§ ‘Arts Access Aotearoa can help you promote your accessible events. We write news stories and post these on the website and, sometimes, on The Big Idea, Creative New Zealand, Ministry of Culture and Heritage, and Scoop websites. We also promote these stories on social media. Please email Iona with your newsworthy stories. Also let us know if you have any useful tips, resources, opportunities and events to share.
§ You can post your accessible arts events on the Arts Access Aotearoa events calendar and we will broadcast it to other relevant what's on sites.’
o Event calendar, check when I’m around https://artsaccess.org.nz/events?src=nav
o MEETING WITH THEM QUESTIONS:
§ 5 aspects of arts and access I have experience of:
· Royal Albert Hall access person and advocate
· Workshops for carers
· Bubble club
· The farm
· In my degree, learning of xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
News, events, opportunities and tips
Arts Access Aotearoa can help you promote your creative space and reach a larger audience. We write news stories and post these on the website and, sometimes, on The Big Idea, Creative New Zealand, Ministry of Culture and Heritage, and Scoop websites. We also promote these stories on social media. Please email Iona with your newsworthy stories and artists. Also let us know if you want to be listed in the creative spaces directory and have any useful tips, resources, opportunities and events to share.
You can post your accessible arts events on the Arts Access Aotearoa events calendar and we will broadcast it to other relevant what's on sites.
o
SOCIAL:
· Karori Community Centre
o Get to know some people in the Karori community:
§ ‘join us for a friendly chat, toasted sandwich, cake and a cuppa’, Meeting Room 1, No bookings required Thursday and Friday, 10am-2pm Cost: $4
· Meet up page, Chris Ritchie
YOGA:
· https://www.lostinsilverfern.com/2017/10/04/best-yoga-studios-wellington/
o Space yoga
§ About 3 yoga classes a day, all seem quite chill
§ 8 Lookout Rd, Mt Victoria Wellington 6021
§ http://spaceyoga.nz/class-schedule/
§ 2 weeks unlimited $42, https://spaceyoga.nz/membership/
o Awhi yoga,
§ Packed program of classes
§ 15 Johnston St, Wellington, 6011 (more in town)
§ Starter Deal: $49 Introductory unlimited 30-day pass
o Yoga Centre for Higher Self
§ 1 Marion Street, Wellington (near trendy Cuba Street)
§ http://higherself.co.nz/timetable/
§ Starter Deal: $35 for 2 weeks unlimited
o Beginner Yogi HAVE 2 WEEK FREE FROM CHRIS AND HEATHER
§ 6/149 Karori Road, Karori 6012, Wellington
§ Starter Deal: One month unlimited $55
FURTHER RESEARCH:
· ‘Revolution Creative’ is on online platform connecting employers with creatives, create a profile!
o I think based in Auckland
· ‘The Big Idea’ is an online platform listing arts news, jobs and income opportunities
· Great ‘community finder’ tool, directory of community groups and services in Wellington, research more what’s local to Karori https://www.communityfinder.org.nz/search?mode=results&queries_q_query=&queries_locality_query=wellington
o List of community centres and their opening hours [ii]
o Example of one and here’s their FB for more current details http://www.facebook.com/pages/Island-Bay-Community-Centre/111805052241263
· Disability Pride is a yearly festival, 2019 is on 3rd Dec
o Info https://disabilityprideaotearoa.nz/about?src=nav
o Emphasis on the legislative, see their resources here https://disabilityprideaotearoa.nz/resources?src=nav
§ New Zealand Disability Strategy
§ Building Act 2004
§ Human Rights Act 1993
§ UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disablities, Article 30 Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport
§ Census 2013: disability statistics
o More history on disability pride and some more resources at https://www.abilitystrongparade.org/history.html
LARGE ORGANISATIONS:
· Creative Spaces, branch of Arts Access Aotearoa
o organisations provide space, resources and assistance in ways that will lead to self-expression, empowerment and self-development through making art or participating in artistic activities. There are many creative spaces communities throughout New Zealand.
· Upon request of 8-10 people/a community group Wellington City Council runs training courses for community groups on organising community programmes and events.
o The guide and planning sheets available here https://wellington.govt.nz/events/event-planning-and-support/community-event-planning-resources
§ Planning sheet is great, see it https://wellington.govt.nz/~/media/events/event-planning-and-support/files/getsetgo-planning-sheets.pdf?la=en
§ Guide here: https://wellington.govt.nz/~/media/events/event-planning-and-support/files/getsetgo-guide.pdf?la=en
o Also guide to support community groups who want to include people with experience of mental illness in your club, programme, activity or facility. https://wellington.govt.nz/~/media/events/event-planning-and-support/files/openingdoors.pdf?la=en
o Their website https://vincents.co.nz/?src=nav
o Excellent content article stream on essays on/by the community https://vincents.co.nz/our%20communities?src=nav
· Wellington Community trust are funders and they have a lot of resources
o Their website http://wct.org.nz/
o Their resources: http://wct.org.nz/support/resources/
o Info on how and why they fund, and at bottom of page links to lots of useful stuff[iii] https://wellington.govt.nz/services/community-and-culture/funding/about-our-funding
AUCKLAND:
· Mapura Studios is a creative space offering different arts programs for people living with complex disabilities. They have a big emphasis on people developing their own artistic identity and growing in skill across many mediums of visual art
o Based in Auckland
§ Mapura Studios, Fowlds Park, Rocky Nook Ave, St Lukes, Auckland
o They offer internships! Usually from university students but can email Director Diana McPherson: diana@mapurastudios.org.nz
o Very welcome also to volunteers, for a big range of roles so do contact when spending some time in Auckland. Phone 09 845 5361, Email sacha@mapurastudios.org.nz
§ However they may say no: ‘The volunteer will be placed with a specific programme, each programme meets once a week for 2 - 3 hours. Mapura Studios asks a volunteer to commit for the minimum duration of 1 term (usually 9 - 11 weeks).’
§ More details http://www.mapurastudios.org.nz/volunteer
o Have a really interesting range of programs and open/self-directed studio time such as
§ arts therapy for stroke victims and
§ transitions from this into expanding artistic skill,
§ ‘leading a creative life’
§ http://www.mapurastudios.org.nz/art-programmes
· Contact Dr. Molly Mullen,
o more than 20 years making, managing, teaching and researching community-based arts and applied theatre,
o senior lecturer in Applied Theatre in the Faculty of Education and Social Work, the University of Auckland.
o She is also a member of the Arts in Corrections Northern Region Network, facilitated by Arts Access Aotearoa.
o Wrote this opinion piece which would be interesting to talk to her more about with my Evaluating Evaluation piece https://artsaccess.org.nz/do-we-really-need-more-research-on-arts-benefits
§ ‘grown weary of repeated demands to prove the value of this work.
§ I am, however, deeply interested in debates around the theories and measures of value applied to the arts, where they come from, and their implications for the work of artists and arts organisations who weave together social and creative aims and ideals.’
§ ‘Organisations exist in a continual state of uncertainty, held back from thinking long-term about the direction of their practice.’
[i] many community organisations who have generously donated to our project:
· Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS)
· McSyth Foundation
· Thomas George Macarthy Trust
· Transpower Community Care Fund
· Wellington Children’s Foundation
· WWF (supported by The Tindall Foundation)
· Berhampore Centennial Community Centre
· Churton Park Community Centre
· Johnsonville Community Centre
· Khandallah Town Hall Cornerstone Community Centre
· Kilbirnie-Lyall Bay Community Centre
· Miramar and Maupuia Community Centre
· Newtown Community & Cultural Centre
· Northland Memorial Community Centre
· Seatoun Village Hall & St Christopher's
· Strathmore Park Community Centre
· Thistle Hall Community Centre
[iii] Related links
· Arts - Advice and Funds for Artists
· Tawa Community Board Grants Subcommittee