Investing in Auckland 

Read about the Auckland creative spaces that received three-year funding from Manatū Taonga. Their stories demonstrate the impact of the funding and what they were able to achieve.
Visit the Auckland directory for contact details.

Art for All Trust

Art for All provides art tuition, support, good-quality materials, exhibition opportunities and social connection for artists with intellectual disabilities. Artists are enabled to feel valued, included and productive members of society through learning art processes, creating artworks, exhibiting work and generating income through the sale of their work.

Whilst providing art-making activities and support for artists, thought is put into providing social opportunities for the many participants who find social participation in the community challenging. Lesson times have been extended to offer time to socialise within the session and appreciate other artists’ work. Artists are encouraged to present and talk about their work in the community.

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Art for All Trust (pdf)

Art for All Trust (Word)

Breathing Space

Breathing Space provides a creative, holistic approach to supporting the mental wellbeing of rangatahi (young people). Our services focus on rangatahi aged from 15 to 23. Around 80% of our participants are Māori or Pacific; more than 75% identify as takatāpui; and 75% are young women.

We combine weekly arts-led group therapy, individual interventions and workshops with artists to offer a safe space where rangatahi can explore their experiences, strengthen relationships and connect with their identity, culture and community. Our approach disrupts overly clinical methods of youth mental health care by integrating traditional techniques with creative practices.

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Breathing Space (pdf)

Breathing Space (Word)

Circability Trust

The kaupapa of Circability is to improve lives and inspire social change through innovation in the delivery of social circus arts. Our emphasis is on the collaborative process to create safe spaces for inclusive social circus arts practice to flourish in diverse communities.

Social circus combines the physical skills and shared joy of the circus with the social and emotional/wellbeing benefits of overcoming new challenges, connecting with others, building self-confidence, and through perseverance, gaining new insights of their ability to achieve new skills and be successful. We have four regional hubs: Kaitaia, Auckland, Tauranga and Christchurch.

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Circability Trust (pdf)

Circability Trust (Word)

Connect the Dots

Connect the Dots uses creativity as a tool to improve the health and wellbeing of older people and people living with dementia, brain injury or disability. We have reached more than 10,000 Aucklanders in galleries, community venues and rest/retirement homes, and catered for more than 3,000 people per year in our art-making workshops.

Make Moments is our visual artmaking and art conversation programme delivered by trained art educators across Auckland. The programme stimulates intellectual conversations about art and brings people together to explore creativity through our art workshops. 

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Connect the Dots (pdf)

Connect the Dots (Word)

Crescendo

At Crescendo, we engage rangatahi through sound to build positive pathways. Through our free music production and wellbeing programmes, we connect with disconnected youth, empowering them to discover their potential.

Our music production programmes give students hands-on skills and industry knowledge in music, audio engineering, songwriting, live sound and performance, while also focusing on health and wellbeing. Our music mentoring connects rangatahi with creative industry professionals, inspiring them to develop their talents and pursue positive pathways in education, employment and internships. 

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Crescendo   (pdf)

Crescendo (Word)

Estuary Arts

Estuary Arts Centre is a creative hub providing hands-on art learning experiences for all creatives whatever age, level or ability. Our studios include a spacious education wing with an exhibition/meeting space and two large studio spaces with wheelchair access. We are well supported by a volunteer base of 70+ individuals from the community who believe in the power of our work.

We aim to grow and sustain a thriving arts community, collaborating with others and offering quality arts education and exhibitions. We strive to reach our wider communities, including youth, tangata whenua, disability, migrant and senior communities.

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Estuary Arts (pdf)

Estuary Arts (Word)

Flock

Flock Charitable Trust curates and manages arts programmes with social impact such as Hobson Street Theatre Company. We create projects that express the richness of our communities through a variety of creative activity. We believe that the sharing of a creative process supports inclusivity and equity, and contributes to good health and wellbeing. This helps build strong, resilient communities and results in a creative outcome that is fresh, unexpected and marvellous.

Our board is comprised of experienced practitioners in social work, counselling, psychology, live performance, policy development, strategy and communications.

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Flock (pdf)

Flock (Word)

Interacting

Interacting offers community programmes in Tāmaki Makaurau for people with disabilities, including theatre, dance and filmmaking. We provide a supportive environment where individuals can build confidence, develop skills and showcase their talents on stage.

We focus primarily on students in transition from their final year of schooling by providing an activity they can continue post schooling. However, we do not turn anyone away and have a wide range of adults of all ages from 16 upwards. The classes are mostly student-led so participants can share and use their creative voice.

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Interacting (pdf)

Interacting (Word)

Glass Ceiling Arts Collective

We are committed to driving systemic change in Aotearoa New Zealand using the performing arts to ensure people of all backgrounds and abilities can play an active role in society. Connection, creativity and community is centre-stage.

Our inclusive performing arts programmes unite disabled tamariki and rangatahi with their non-disabled siblings and friends, creating a space where diversity is celebrated and difference is the norm. Our programmes empower individuals and build community, fostering a sense of belonging, allowing everyone to feel valued and free from judgment. Ours is a space where previously hidden talents are uncovered, celebrated and enjoyed by the wider community.

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Glass Ceiling Arts Collective (pdf)

Glass Ceiling Arts Collective (Word)

Kākano Youth Arts Collective

Kākano is a vibrant group of artistically talented youth in West Auckland, established in 2013. Aimed at young people aged 12 to 20, we provide a safe and supportive environment for developing diverse visual arts skills. Originating from a pilot programme addressing the needs of vulnerable youth struggling with mainstream education, it has since transformed into a initiative that has positively impacted many lives.

Kākano holds three studio sessions a week, currently serving around 20 members. We collaborate with Oranga Tamariki, Police, alternative education providers, youth services and local government to tackle barriers faced by participants.

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Kākano Youth Arts Collective (pdf)

Kākano Youth Arts Collective (Word)

Māpura Studios

Māpura Studios provides person-centred visual art and art therapy programmes for adults, teenagers and children who experience barriers to participating in the arts. Our programmes are a synthesis of fine arts practice and self-development in an inclusive, supportive creative space. We maintain an extensive exhibition calendar at high-profile community galleries and events to showcase our artists’ work. We have established satellite groups and classes from Ōrewa to Pukekohe.

At Māpura, you will find a fusion of the creative arts, therapeutic process, of caring and sharing, acceptance and inclusion, of celebration, fun and friendship, advocacy and a vision of equality.

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Māpura Studios (pdf)

Māpura Studios (Word)

Ngā Rangatahi Toa

Ngā Rangatahi Toa is dedicated to enabling rangatahi through a Te Ao Māori worldview, blending creative arts, therapeutic support and tikanga Māori. Primarily serving Māori and Pacific rangatahi in Auckland, we create safe spaces for rangatahi to explore identity, reconnect with Te Ao Māori and develop coping strategies.

Since 2012, our tailored programmes have addressed challenges such as trauma and social exclusion, focusing on healing and resilience. Our flagship programme, Manawa Ora, brings rangatahi together with leading New Zealand artists for a unique, youth-centred devised theatre show that integrates toi Māori, dance, theatre and visual arts.

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Ngā Rangatahi Toa (pdf)

Ngā Rangatahi Toa (Word)

Ōwairaka Community Club

We are a community club that provides social and creative opportunities for people with lived experience of mental health issues/tāngata whaiora to heal and grow in a non-clinical, culturally supportive environment. Guided by the values of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, we embrace inclusion, diversity and mana enhancement for all members and their whānau. We promote understanding, respect, self-determination, empowerment, skills development, and a strong sense of belonging and partnership.

In addition to fostering creative expression, we provide opportunities for members to train in mental health and peer support while volunteering at the club, building their work resilience and skills. 

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Ōwairaka Community Club (pdf)

Ōwairaka Community Club (Word)

Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre

Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust operates New Zealand’s only dedicated music therapy centres. Established in 2004 by singer Dame Hinewehi Mohi, Raukatauri’s services enable wellbeing, empowerment and joy through music therapy. It uses music to promote the healing and personal growth of people with identified intellectual, physical, social or mental health challenges.

We have expanded to cater to demand, from our original location in Auckland to three other regions: Hawke’s Bay, Northland and Bay of Plenty. Our services  are offered in a variety of settings: onsite from our centres, via satellite services in local communities, and through outreach programmes via partnerships with more than 70 organisations.

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Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre

Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre

Te Kāhui

Te Kāhui Creative Writing (Youth Arts New Zealand ) grew from the premise that all our whānaunga deserve equitable, accessible opportunities to express themselves. Since starting our fortnightly programming at Mount Eden Corrections Facility in 2019, Te Kāhui has grown to a passionate team of four serving young creatives in prisons and communities across the motu.

Grounded in Indigenous methodologies, Te Kāhui programming allows participants to explore poetry, rap, short fiction, performance poetry, character development and editing. We are also working to offer post-programme publication opportunities.

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Te Kāhui Creative Writing (pdf)

Te Kāhui Creative Writing (Word)

Te Karanga 

We work to create a more inclusive, resilient and connected community. Te Karanga is a Kaupapa Tiriti, multicultural, non-profit charitable trust founded in 2004. Working across Tāmaki Makaurau with a social and creative focus, we deliver accessible programmes, discussion groups, professional development, mentoring, and access to resources and safe spaces.

We teach transferable creative, technical, digital, music, art and entrepreneurial skills to young people facing adversity, with a view to encouraging further education and sense of vocation.

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Te Karanga Charitable Trust (pdf)

Te Karanga Charitable Trust (Word)

Toi Ora

Toi Ora is located in the heart of Auckland city, providing innovation and leadership in the field of creativity in mental health recovery. We provide over 20 classes in visual arts, writing, performance, music and recording that are tutored by professional practitioners with experience and/or an understanding of the issues surrounding mental health.

Our therapeutic environment fills a gap in the mental health system and offers a holistic approach, fostering self-determination through creative practice as a proven means to enhance recovery and maintain wellbeing. Programmes support people to develop their strengths and artistic potential arts in a safe, non-institutional environment.

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Toi Ora  (pdf)

Toi Ora (Word)

Touch Compass

Touch Compass is powered by kaupapa Māori values, “crip time” and “crip s p a c e”, commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti and the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We support a resilient arts sector and disability-conscious society.

We offer youth (tamariki/rangatahi) and adult (pakeke) classes, arts education programmes, workshops and pathways to professional arts development for disabled artists and aspiring creatives, arts practitioners, allies, communities, and non-disabled people engaging in accessible creative expression.

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Touch Compass (pdf)

Touch Compass (Word)

Zeal

Our kaupapa is to make creative and transformative spaces and experiences accessible to all young people in Aotearoa. We believe in the power of creativity and its transformational effect on young people, their communities and society.

We operate five creative spaces in the North Island: West Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast. These provide the infrastructure for young people to access the arts, including recording studios, rehearsal rooms, dance studios, music equipment, art rooms, computer suites and more. We aim to break down barriers to participation by making our creative programmes accessible and free or low cost.

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Zeal (pdf)

Zeal (Word)