Creative Spaces Mentor Programme

Art tutors and managers of community art studios open to disabled artists need professional development. All around New Zealand, these studios, known as creative spaces, are providing opportunities for people to create art in a supportive, safe and learning environment. This includes the one in four people in New Zealand living with a disability. Creative spaces make a huge difference in their communities, building the artistic and life skills of their artists. We will support creative spaces, their staff and artists through this Mentor Programme.

What is Arts Access Aotearoa going to do?

Times are tough and we want to make sure creative spaces are able to keep providing quality arts opportunities for their artists through our Mentor Programme. Voluntary mentors from the community, business and arts sectors will grow the skills of the next generation of creative space leaders. We provided a pilot in 2013/2014 that was so successful it was a no-brainer to offer it again to five more emerging leaders. Check out this quote to see why this mentor project is so important:

"Thank you so much for the opportunity. The feeling of support and opportunity I received from this project was phenomenal and has reinforced my determination to make this my vocation."

So how does the Mentoring Programme work?

Arts Access Aotearoa carefully matches voluntary mentors from the community, public and private sectors with emerging leaders from creative spaces. Participants are guided by mentors on varied topics such as such as financial planning, fundraising, HR practice and business development - even how best to organise art exhibitions.

Mentors and mentees participate in a professional training programme with the New Zealand Coaching and Mentoring Centre and their mentoring relationship continues for a year or more. As an added bonus, this project also trains 12 mentors who will continue to make a difference in their communities.

Why should you support this project?

We think the Creative Spaces Mentoring Programme is a win-win for everyone and we want to invite you to be part of it!

Your generous donations to Art Access Aotearoa's Boosted campaign will be used to cover the costs of travel for the mentors and for the project co-ordinator to attend the orientation and training day. The mentors are volunteering their time and expertise and we want to get them there.

The 2014/2015 Creative Spaces Mentoring Programme starts on 28 August in Auckland.

What is Arts Access Aotearoa?

Arts Access Aotearoa is a New Zealand charitable trust that supports arts organisations and venues to increase their accessibility; builds the capability and leadership skills of grassroots community organisations providing artistic opportunities to disabled people; raises public awareness about access to the arts; and provides a New Zealand information service. It is also the key organisation in New Zealand advocating for the arts to be used as a rehabilitation tool for prisoners.

Arts Access Aotearoa's key stakeholders are people with physical, sensory or intellectual impairments; individuals and organisations in the community and professional arts sectors; and people with lived experience of mental illness. Arts Access Aotearoa makes a difference in the lives of many of the 1.1 million people in New Zealand who experience disability.

Photo credits: Ranfurly Care, Dudley Art House.