Impact of multi-year investment in creative spaces
A report outlining the impact of multi-year investment in creative spaces across Aotearoa highlights the value of creativity and showcases how creative spaces benefit society. With multi-year investment, creative spaces can grow their physical capital and operational infrastructure to deliver their services more effectively.
In 2021, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage announced an $18 million fund for creative spaces, to be distributed over three years. Following a call for applications, it supported 54 creative spaces through Te Tahua Whakahaumaru Creative Arts Recovery and Employment (CARE) Fund from 2021 to 2024. The aims of the fund were to increase the reach and quality of creative space services and programmes, and also support increased employment in the sector.
Arts Access Aotearoa worked with Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage to monitor the funding and gather data to measure the impact of the funding. It also provided advocacy, professional development, funding advice, and relationship-building across the sector and in the wider community.
A comprehensive report of the outcomes, Te kaha o ā tatou mahi – the power of our work, provides evidence of the social, health and wellbeing benefits that the creative spaces sector adds to New Zealand society.
Demonstrating positive outcomes for society
The report's Executive Summary states that the multi-year funding demonstrates numerous positive outcomes for society. "Spaces were able to employ more people, support career pathways and provide professional development for their staff and volunteers. Strategic partnerships were formed and deeper connections with their communities evident.
"They developed initiatives that improved and expanded their services to accommodate demand. This reduced the strain on other social services, and supplemented access and care for people who face barriers to participate fully in their communities."
Delivering to 100 locations across Aotearoa
In Aotearoa New Zealand, 1,1 million people identify as disabled. That is 24% of the population. "Creative spaces provide access to creativity for this segment of our population via skilled staff and volunteers from the arts, health, therapy and education sectors. Activity is delivered across 100 locations nationally throughout the Creative Spaces Network."
In 2019, national attendance rates were estimated at 11,000 people attending 67 creative spaces. In 2024, this figure had increased to an estimated 40,000 people attending the 53 creative spaces supported through the CARE Fund, and impacting an additional 120,000 whānau, family and/or companions and support people. This represents a 246% increase in people attending creative spaces.
Some statistics
- 65 creative spaces delivering activity across 100 locations
- 1500 professionals employed by these spaces
- 40,000 people supported to participate in activities run by these spaces
- 587 participant volunteers
- 122 participants now employed
- 94 volunteers now employed.
The end of this funding in December 2024 comes at a time when New Zealand is experiencing a weak economy with high interest rates and rising unemployment. The report concludes: "There is an urgent need for the Creative Spaces Network to work collectively with providers and other relevant organisations across the arts, health and education sectors, as well as with Arts Access Aotearoa."
"It is hoped this narrative can be used to help advocate for ongoing financial investment of creative spaces so they can continue to support people and contribute positively to society by creating work that allows us to imagine what is possible."
Download copies of the report
Te kaha o ā tatou mahi – the power of our work (pdf)
Te kaha o ā tatou mahi – the power of our work (Word)
Individual 51 impact stories
Creative spaces worked with Arts Access Aotearoa to prepare individual stories of their creative spaces, demonstrating the impact of the multi-year funding and what they were able to achieve.
You can read these stories by clicking on the links in the righthand column, broken down into the regions where the creative spaces are located.
