Creative Spaces Network
A video campaign by Arts Access Aotearoa highlights the value of creative spaces and the artists who attend them. The campaign’s key message is that creative spaces provide a nurturing, inclusive place where people can create and participate in the arts.
The Artist Spotlight videos are hosted on Arts Access Aotearoa’s YouTube channel. To date, they feature participants and staff from 12 creative spaces: MIX, Pablos Art Studios, Vincents Art Workshop and Voice Arts in Wellington; Studio2 in Dunedin; Cultural Conversations and Magenta Creative Space in Nelson; Artists in the Making in the Coromandel; and the Inclusive Performance Academy in Christchurch.
A way to promote the artists and creative spaces
Kate Hiatt, Creative Spaces Advisor, Arts Access Aotearoa, says the videos provide a “wonderful weaving” of stories, and a way to promote the artists and what they enjoy about attending a creative space.
“What a kete for creative spaces,” she says. “One of the things I love is that they are all so different – yet obviously part of a suite of videos.
“Video can be a powerful and effective tool to tell your stories. I hope even more creative spaces will take up this opportunity in 2023 to promote the impact of their work and reach a wider audience.”
One of the campaign aims is to support creative spaces to make videos. Lachlan Giddens, a Victoria University student in early 2022 and intern at Arts Access Aotearoa, led the campaign.
As well as creating the Pablos Art Studios and Voices Arts videos, Lachlan also wrote a step-by-step instruction guide explaining how to create and edit the videos.
Importance of creative spaces
In the Studio2 video, artist Jen talks about the tee-shirt she painted and is wearing, and what she likes about the creative space. “I have friends and I like making pictures. Studio2 helps me try something new.”
In the MIX video, artist Hapi says: “What really makes me feel good is other people just love it. Sometimes I don’t like it myself but others say ‘that’s beautiful’ … I just love to do art.”
In the Pablos Art Studio video, artist Shannon Paratene says: “The tutors here are really grounded … I’ve found joy in the connection I’ve made with other people here.”
If you are a creative space and would like to participate in the Artist Spotlight video campaign, please email Iona McNaughton.
