The Christchurch advocacy group at Canterbury Museum, 2014

About Arts Advocates

This project is about working with community participants to build their advocacy skills and forge partnerships across the country, using digital platforms such as websites, video and social media.

There are three parts to this project.

  1. The website: this is a platform for advocates around New Zealand to share and promote their blogs, video, photographs, events, examples of best practice and projects. It also has useful links and resources, both here and internationally.
  2. The video: this advocacy video includes a visit to The Civic in Auckland for a touch tour and audio described performance of CATS, as well as a visit to the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch. 
  3. The symposium: a two-day event in Wellington on 28 to 29 November 2015 brought together advocates from the disability sector to share their knowledge, ideas and projects; learn more about social media and video skills; and form a national network.

Some background

“Nothing about us without us” is a principle that drives the various disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) in New Zealand. These organisations are governed and run by disabled people, and include Disabled Persons Assembly, Deaf Aotearoa, People First New Zealand Ngā Tāngata Tuatahi and Blind Citizens NZ. 

This principle sits at the centre of this project, which aims to provide a vehicle and some useful tools so disabled and Deaf people can advocate for increased access to the arts.

Funded through the Ministry of Social Development’s Think Differently campaign, the project builds on what Arts Access Aotearoa learned and achieved in two earlier Making a Difference projects: one in Auckland in 2013 and the other in Christchurch in 2014.

In both cities, advocacy groups were formed to build skills among participants to advocate for increased accessibility and inclusion in the arts for disabled people. The groups consisted of people with physical and sensory impairment, intellectual disability and lived experience of mental ill-health.

Funders and supporters

Arts Access Advocates: A National Partnership was made possible through the Ministry of Social Development’s Making a Difference Fund. It builds on what Arts Access Aotearoa learned and achieved in two earlier Making a Difference advocacy projects: one in Auckland in 2013 and the other in Christchurch in 2014.

Arts Access Advocates: A National Partnership was initiated by Arts Access Aotearoa but is driven by community participants.

Arts Access Aotearoa receives core funding from Creative New Zealand under its Toi Totara Haemata investment programme. It also has a contract with the Department of Corrections to support and advise on the arts as a tool in the rehabilitation process of prisoners. Other key funders and partners are the Wellington City Council, Foundation North and CQ Hotels Wellington. View all its funders and supporters. 

Arts Access Aotearoa is a registered charitable trust (C33633) and you can claim a tax credit on any donation of $5 or more. If you would like to support Arts Access Advocates: A National Partnership to help ensure all people in New Zealand have access to the arts, please talk to Richard Benge, Executive Director (E: richard.benge@artsaccess.org.nz T: 04 802 4349).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 


An Auckland advocacy group, set up in 2013

An Auckland advocacy group, set up in 2013, participated in five one-day workshops in different venues around Auckland.

Thane Pullan does a presentation at the Christchurch advocacy group, set up in 2014

Thane Pullan does a presentation at the Christchurch advocacy group, set up in 2014   

 

Our funders

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