Local community newspapers: a valuable resource for creative spaces

Local community newspapers serve as an excellent platform for sharing stories from creative spaces. Whether it's a feature story, an opinion piece, or a letter to the editor, publications like The Nelson Mail, the North Shore Times, and Hawke’s Bay Today provide an opportunity to reach a broader audience. Additionally, many of these articles are also posted online on widely-read websites such as Stuff and the NZ Herald, amplifying their reach even further.

Richard Benge, Executive Director of Arts Access Aotearoa, authored an insightful opinion piece published in Wellington's metropolitan daily, The Post. In this piece, Richard shared for the first time some of the personal motivations and experiences that deeply connect him to the organisation's mission. Through his story, he underscored the significant impact that creative spaces have on individuals and communities, advocating passionately for their value.

Richard's article not only serves as an inspiring narrative but also exemplifies the kind of advocacy we encourage within our sector. By publicly sharing his personal journey and the reasons behind his commitment, Richard has set a powerful example of how storytelling can be a potent tool for change.

We invite you to read Richard's article called The frontline heroes enriching and saving lives. His story is a testament to the transformative power of creative spaces and a call to action for others to share their experiences.

Share your story

If you have a personal journey or experience related to creative spaces that you would like to share, we encourage you to do so. Your stories can help advocate for the value and importance of creative spaces across Aotearoa. Please feel free to send your pitch, story, or photo to Iona McNaughton, our Communications Manager, at iona.mcnaughton@artsaccess.org.nz.

By sharing our stories and experiences, we can collectively demonstrate the impact of creative spaces and advocate for their continued support and growth.