PACE – Pathways to Arts and Cultural Employment
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1. What are ‘cultural workers’?
As well as ‘artists’ who are often thought of as those involved in creating original works, this term also incorporates
practitioners involved in arts administration, preservation, tuition production and curation. It would also include
those working in the design sectors.
All cultural workers are being given access to the provisions of PACE in line with the Government’s commitment to
supporting all aspects of the arts and creative industries.
2. How does PACE build on Labour’s Uniquely New Zealand policy?
The development of PACE follows a commitment in Labour’s Uniquely New Zealand manifesto to better support developing
artists who demonstrate ability and an intent to follow an arts-based career. It recognises that arts practitioners were
uncomfortable with being singled out for special treatment and therefore customises services already offered by Work and
Income NZ to be specifically responsive to cultural workers.
The Government has brought about a shift of focus within Work and Income NZ. The resulting change in the way that case
workers now address the employment goals of clients, combined with the resources developed to support the delivery of
PACE, will address many of the issues that lay behind the development of Uniquely New Zealand. The Government will
closely monitor the effectiveness of PACE.
The Arts and Culture Policy of the Alliance also pledged to explore a range of options for supporting artists to “get
away from the notion that starving in garrets … is good for artists”. The Alliance policy pledges to ensure “that social
support structures are built around [artists’] activities by making sure that they have the facilities they need”.
3. Does PACE exempt cultural workers from Work and Income NZ’s work-test requirements?
No, cultural workers will still have to meet the legislated work-test requirements which includes being willing and able
to take up paid employment. However, cultural workers will be referred to jobs that match their skills and employment
goals.
Importantly though, PACE also recognises that a majority of cultural workers generate their own work and income
opportunities. With PACE, case workers will work with arts practitioners to identify these opportunities and how to
progress them. The agreed steps that the cultural worker will undertake to realise these opportunities in their Job
Seeker Agreement. While the cultural worker is undertaking these steps and progressing their career development they
will be considered to be meeting their work-test requirements.
4. What is a Job Seeker Agreement?
Job Seeker Agreements are agreements between unemployment beneficiaries and Work and Income NZ. They set out the what
will be required to assist job seekers to move into paid employment, and the support that they can expect from Work and
Income NZ to achieve this. Job Seeker Agreements are negotiated between job seekers and their case manager and are
individually tailored to take into account the particular needs of the job seekers and the opportunities which exist in
their communities/preferred career.
5. Can established arts practitioners access the provisions of PACE?
To access PACE a person must qualify to be registered as unemployed with Work and Income NZ. They must also be able meet
the work-test requirements including being willing and able to take up paid employment.
6. My organisation is not listed in the PACE Resource Pack. How can I have it included?
Any organisation that can actively assist cultural workers in their career development can be listed in the PACE
Resource Pack.
- If your organisation has a national focus you should send contact details to Dora Tuimaseve, Ministry of Social
Development, phone (04) 916 3098, e-mail: Dora.Tuimaseve@msd.govt.nz.
- If your organisation operates at a local level you should contact your local Work and Income NZ Regional Commissioner.
Their contact details are in the Government phone listings section of the White Pages, or you can contact your local
Work and Income NZ Service Centre.
All resources compiled to support PACE will be reviewed and updates on a continuing basis.
7. Where can I get more information about PACE?
Information about PACE is available from Work and Income NZ Service Centres. The PACE Resource Pack is a continuously
updated publication which will available on-line from Monday (November 12) at:
www.winz.govt.nz/find_a_job/arts_culture.html