Call for nominations to Arts Access Awards 2017
Do you want to see an outstanding disabled artist recognised? Or how about a leader providing access to the arts for
people in New Zealand? Nominations to this year’s Arts Access Awards, presented annually by Arts Access Aotearoa, close
on Monday 3 April 2017.
The Arts Access Awards celebrate the contribution of individuals, groups and organisations in providing access to the
arts. They also acknowledge the achievements and contribution of a New Zealand-based artist or writer with a physical,
sensory or intellectual impairment, or lived experience of mental ill-health.
Richard Benge, Executive Director of Arts Access Aotearoa, says the Arts Access Awards play an important role in
profiling excellence and leadership in the arts and disability sectors. They also highlight leaders in the use of the
arts as a tool supporting the rehabilitative process of prisoners and their reintegration back into society on release.
“Making nominations is a great way people can get involved in celebrating New Zealand’s leaders of access to the arts –
often the unsung heroes of society who make a real difference,” Richard says.
“Industry judging panels select the award recipients but ensuring you nominate your leaders is a vital part of the
process. Without a nomination, they cannot be considered.”
The six award categories are:
· Arts Access Artistic Achievement Award, recognising the outstanding achievements and contribution of a New
Zealand-based artist, who has a physical, sensory or intellectual impairment, or lived experience of mental ill-health
· Arts Access Creative Space Award, recognising the outstanding contribution and impact of a creative space that
provides opportunities for people with limited access to make art, across any or all artforms
· Arts Access CQ Hotels Wellington Community Partnership Award, recognising a mutually beneficial partnership between
two or more organisations or groups actively engaged in a community-based arts project
· Arts Access Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award, recognising a performing arts company, festival, literary
organisation, venue, producer or gallery that best demonstrates its commitment to building new audiences by becoming
more accessible to disabled and Deaf people.
· Arts Access Corrections Leadership Award, recognising the outstanding contribution of a New Zealand prison or
Community Corrections site, using the arts as a tool to support the rehabilitation of offenders or their reintegration
into the community.
· Arts Access Corrections Community Award, recognising the outstanding contribution of a community group, organisation
or individual working with the Department of Corrections and using the arts as a tool to support the rehabilitation of
offenders or their reintegration into the community on release.
Arts Access Aotearoa is the key national organisation working to increase access to the arts for everyone in New
Zealand, whatever their circumstances. Its key stakeholders are people with physical, sensory or intellectual
impairments; individuals and organisations in the community and professional arts sectors; and people with lived
experience of mental ill-health.
It is also the key organisation in New Zealand facilitating the arts as a tool to support the rehabilitative process of
prisoners and their reintegration back into the community on release.
Nominations close at 5pm on Monday 3 April 2017.
ends