When more than 70 people gathered at Tūranga in Ōtautahi Christchurch for Shifting the Stream, the conversation quickly moved beyond funding. While investment remains a significant challenge for community organisations, participants made it clear that the future of creative spaces is about something much bigger: relationships, collaboration, shared learning and telling our stories with confidence. 

Bringing together leaders from creative spaces, local and central government, philanthropy and community organisations, the day created an opportunity to step away from day-to-day pressures and ask an important question: 

What needs to change so creative spaces can continue to thrive? 

The discussions that followed revealed remarkable consistency. Across every table, participants spoke about the need to better communicate the impact of creative spaces, not simply through numbers but also through authentic stories that centre the lived experiences of artists and participants. Stories help people understand the transformative role creative spaces play in strengthening wellbeing, connection and belonging within communities. 

Another clear message emerged: relationships matter just as much as funding.  

Participants imagined a future where funders spend more time in creative spaces, experiencing programmes first-hand and building relationships with the people behind the work. Rather than transactional funding applications, there was a strong desire for genuine partnerships built on trust, understanding and shared outcomes. 

Coming together around common goals

The conversations also highlighted opportunities for the sector itself. Rather than competing for limited resources, creative spaces recognised the value of collaborating more intentionally; sharing knowledge, supporting one another, developing common tools and advocating with a stronger collective voice. This spirit of collaboration has always been central to the Creative Spaces Network, and Shifting the Stream reinforced just how much can be achieved when organisations come together around common goals. 

Participants also challenged the current funding environment, calling for longer-term operational investment that supports sustainability, capability and innovation rather than short-term project delivery.  

Alongside this came practical ideas for strengthening the sector through professional development in fundraising, impact measurement, communications and advocacy. 

Importantly, the conversations always returned to people. Whether talking about funding, storytelling or evaluation, participants reminded us that creative spaces exist because of the people who walk through their doors. Protecting dignity, honouring lived experience and ensuring artists retain ownership of their stories must remain at the heart of everything we do. 

For Arts Access Aotearoa, these conversations provide more than inspiration; they provide direction. 

Shifting the Stream has become much more than a one-day event. It is evolving into an ongoing process of listening to the sector, identifying shared challenges and co-designing practical responses that strengthen creative spaces across Aotearoa.  

Building a connected support ecosystem

Rather than developing isolated initiatives, we are building a connected support ecosystem shaped by what creative spaces themselves have told us they need. 

This includes strengthening fundraising capability, fostering stronger relationships with strategic partners, investing in professional development, and developing better ways to understand and communicate the collective impact of creative spaces. 

One of the most exciting developments already under way is our partnership with Dr Rosie Gallen to adapt the Tūhono Wellbeing Impact Framework specifically for creative spaces.  

Rather than asking organisations to collect more data, the framework helps spaces organise and communicate the stories, observations and evidence they are already gathering through their everyday practice. It offers a practical way for organisations to better understand their own impact while also helping us tell a stronger collective story about the contribution creative spaces make to wellbeing across Aotearoa. 

The conversations sparked in Christchurch are also creating opportunities to strengthen relationships beyond the sector itself. Collaborations with organisations working across creativity, wellbeing, philanthropy and innovation are helping build a more connected ecosystem - one that recognises creative spaces as essential contributors to healthier, more inclusive communities. 

Shifting the Stream 2.0

As we begin shaping Shifting the Stream 2.0, these conversations will continue to guide our work. The focus is shifting from convening important discussions to embedding practical tools, shared wellbeing measurement, stronger partnerships and collective capability across the Creative Spaces Network.  

While this journey began through innovation in Auckland, Christchurch has demonstrated that the model can strengthen regional ecosystems while continuing to generate new ideas that benefit the whole Network. 

Arts Access Aotearoa extends its sincere thanks to Christchurch City Council for its generous support of the event and its ongoing commitment to strengthening inclusive arts and community participation across Ōtautahi. We are also incredibly grateful to the Tūranga events team, whose professionalism, hospitality and seamless support created an environment where meaningful conversations could flourish. 

Most of all, thank you to everyone who joined us, shared openly and contributed your ideas.  

Shifting the Stream confirmed that the future of creative spaces will not be shaped by funding alone. It will be shaped by stronger relationships, shared learning, practical tools that help us demonstrate our impact, and a collective willingness to work together towards a more connected and sustainable future. 

Read the blog by Emily Preston of Ember Innovations, How creative friction can shift the stream