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Call for nominations to Arts Access/Creative NZ Award 2018

Published: Thu 15 Mar 2018 06:49 PM
Call for nominations to Arts Access
Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award 2018
Arts Access Aotearoa is calling for nominations to the Arts Access Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award 2018. This award recognises a performing arts company, literary organisation, festival, venue, producer or gallery that best demonstrates its commitment to building new audiences by becoming more accessible to disabled and Deaf people.
The closing date for nominations is 5pm Monday 16 April 2018.
Rachel Sears, Education Manager of The Court Theatre, makes an acceptance speech when the theatre won the Arts Access Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award 2017
The recipient of this award will receive $4000, to be used to progress its work in improving access to disabled audiences. Previous recipients are eligible for nomination after three years have lapsed (e.g. the 2015 recipient is eligible for nomination in 2018) if they have introduced a series of new initiatives not recognised in its previous award.
Stephen Wainwright, Chief Executive, Creative New Zealand, encourages people to make nominations. “We know how much the arts mean to New Zealanders so we’re delighted to support this award. It recognises the important work arts organisations do when they go the extra mile to increase access to the arts and build new audiences.”
The annual 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 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 the community on release.
The five other 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 Holdsworth 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 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 Corrections Māui Tikitiki a Taranga Award, recognising an individual who demonstrates the qualities of Māui – innovation, creativity and leadership – in providing cultural inclusion and diversity through the arts within a New Zealand prison that provides and encourages a pathway into rehabilitation
• Arts Access Corrections Whai Tikanga Award, recognising the outstanding contribution of a community group, organisation, Māori Focus Unit or individual working with the Department of Corrections in a prison or community setting, and using the arts as an integral part of a tikanga programme to encourage a strong cultural identity and support pro-social living.
Each of the six awards has a nomination form. You are able to nominate yourself or others. For more information and nomination forms, visit the Arts Access Aotearoa website o

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