The Big Idea | Valuing creativity, accelerating success

Musical Futures Looking $50,000 Brighter

Five talented musicians from a wide variety of genres and backgrounds have climbed clear of a record number of applicants to land Professional Development Awards that are set to have a major boost to their careers.

Feature

Te Reo Māori Stealing Show at Silver Scrolls

The growing influence of te reo Māori in the music industry can't be missed - and there's a growing appreciation for Māori songwriting in one of the country's most coveted awards nights.

News

Toi Hourua No Longer Receiving Creative NZ Funding

One of the most controversial funding decisions of recent years, the Digital Arts Commissioning and Capability Service partnership between CNZ and We Are Indigo has ended two years earlier than expected.

News

Creative Community Puts Questions to Arts Minister In Lively Q&A

Some of the biggest talking points in the creative sector were on the table when Paul Goldsmith fronted an audience wanting answers in Wellington.

Feature

The Unconventional Journey of Henry Hargreaves

From feeling roadblocked in Christchurch to soaring high in New York, a model turned in-demand photographer offers tips from his truly impressive and self-made creative journey.

Advice to My 22-Year-Old Self

Make The Most Of Life's Detours

One of the most celebrated music therapy practitioners in Aotearoa gives an insight into the key lessons she's learned about a life filled with creative spark.

News

Scores Of Success - Steven Dominates Screen Music Nominations

Karl Sölve Steven is already in a league of his own - his award-winning legacy just got another extraordinary dose of recognition.

Feature

Nigel Borell: Figure Out Your Own Voice

One of Aotearoa's leading creative voices opens up on embracing creativity, self-exploration, and the importance of perseverance.

Feature

Performance Exchange - The New Way Of Touring?

It's a 'Disaster' waiting to happen - and that's a good thing for all involved. Find out how the NZ debut of an immersive theatre game is opening doors for local shows to find new life overseas.

Arts Smarts

The WOW Factor - Career Tips From Malia Johnston

The in-demand creative director and choreographer opens up on collaborative leadership, creative process, dealing with roadblocks and finding her path.

Feature

Arts Voices: Protecting The Mental Health Of Creatives

Mental Health Awareness Week is the perfect time for a well-being check-in - we speak to five passionate advocates about how well the sector looks after the creatives it is built around.

The Lowdown

Loaded Lowdown: Bidding Wars & Big Awards

Arts news bulletins don't come any more jam-packed than this, get your head around all the latest happenings, triumphs, heartbreak, recognition and opportunity in the creative community.

News

2024 World of WearableArts Winners Revealed

The iconic WOW show has proven its international status as awards are shared across nine countries, spanning four continents - with the Supreme Award inspired by a uniquely New Zealand visual.

Arts Smarts

9 Questions To Ask Before You Sign With A Gallery

Taking on gallery representation is a pivotal point in an artist’s career, so you need to get it right.

News

Aotearoa Reclaims Haka World Record

With a myriad of musical talents leading the way, a new Guinness World Record was set for a truly New Zealand cultural art form.

News

Ana Iti Lands Lucurative Walters Prize

A place in an exclusive group of artists and a $50,000 cash prize has been extended to Hawke's Bay-based creative as the triennial national contemporary art award is announced.

Arts Smarts

Making Your Creative Business Dream A Reailty

The Dust Palace's Eve Gordon gives an insight to aspiring creative entrepreneurs while continuing their own success at the Whangārei Fringe.

Feature

Behind The Dreams - Bringing WOW Show To Life

The Big Idea goes behind the scenes to see what it takes to bring together the performance feast that is the World of WearableArt show, speaking to its leading creative minds.

The Lowdown

Lowdown: Fresh Blood Taking Over

Key changes at the helm of two creative organisations, Festival fever hitting both ends of Aotearoa, awards won and milestones celebrated in this week's arts news bulletin.

Arts Smarts

Creative Tips On How To Tame TikTok

Social media creator with a 1.5 million follower base - and star of new ATC production - Theo Shakes explains how to make content that lands right online.

Advice to My 22-Year-Old Self

"Don't Walk Away From Failure"

The founder of one of New Zealand's most enduring bands has had some hard lessons in his career - he's sharing them for other creatives to learn from.

News

Golden Night at Silver Scrolls For Anna Coddington

The coveted songwriting award - voted for by New Zealand songwriters - took centre stage on a night of success for waiata Māori and a pair of double triumphs.

Feature

Super Nova's Stellar Start

Taking on the anti-hero role of Wendy in ATC/Nightsong's Peter Pan has given talented creative all-rounder Nova Moala-Knox an ideal launching pad in her post-graduate career.

The Lowdown

Lowdown: Stablising Art Spaces

An extensive report exposes an area where the creative community needs support and advocacy, proof that backing artists pays off and a raft of residencies, awards and finalists to celebrate.

Feature

Raising the Tempo

Creative vision, worldbuilding and the bigger picture of reigniting the contemporary dance scene in Aotearoa are driving forces behind this year's talent-packed TEMPO Dance Festival.

Who Got The Gig?

Big Picture Creative Planning For Tāmaki Makaurau

After casting the net wide both here and overseas - Tātaki Auckland Unlimited landed an vastly experienced catch for its new role, designed to give performing arts and live entertainment a stronger voice.

Feature

Rich Kids Don't Go To Jail

Lynda Chanwai-Earle goes behind the scenes with the creative team of Camp Be Better, learning how the concept of ‘entitlement to enlightenment’ drives their new series.

Featured Stories

OPINION: ACT's Threat To Arts Funding Provokes Anger

Your Next Arts Opportunity? NZ's Best Call For Entries Right Now

2024 Arts Laureates Announced

Lowdown: Pasifika Artists, Screen Industry In Spotlight

Featured Jobs

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Artist Liaison Assistant Kaiāwhina Takawaenga Ringatoi

CRAFTSPERSON - JUNIOR WELDER / FABRICATOR

Stories

Musical Futures Looking $50,000 Brighter

Te Reo Māori Stealing Show at Silver Scrolls

Toi Hourua No Longer Receiving Creative NZ Funding

Creative Community Puts Questions to Arts Minister In Lively Q&A

The Unconventional Journey of Henry Hargreaves

Make The Most Of Life's Detours

Scores Of Success - Steven Dominates Screen Music Nominations

Nigel Borell: Figure Out Your Own Voice

Performance Exchange - The New Way Of Touring?

The WOW Factor - Career Tips From Malia Johnston

Arts Voices: Protecting The Mental Health Of Creatives

Loaded Lowdown: Bidding Wars & Big Awards

2024 World of WearableArts Winners Revealed

9 Questions To Ask Before You Sign With A Gallery

Aotearoa Reclaims Haka World Record

Ana Iti Lands Lucurative Walters Prize

Making Your Creative Business Dream A Reailty

Behind The Dreams - Bringing WOW Show To Life

Lowdown: Fresh Blood Taking Over

Creative Tips On How To Tame TikTok

"Don't Walk Away From Failure"

Golden Night at Silver Scrolls For Anna Coddington

Super Nova's Stellar Start

Lowdown: Stablising Art Spaces

Raising the Tempo

Big Picture Creative Planning For Tāmaki Makaurau

Rich Kids Don't Go To Jail

Jobs

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Artist Liaison Assistant Kaiāwhina Takawaenga Ringatoi

CRAFTSPERSON - JUNIOR WELDER / FABRICATOR

Artist in Residence 2025 - Call for Entries

Ringa Poipoi, Student Health and Wellbeing

Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award Call for entries

New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Awards 2025

Kaiwhakahaere Mātauranga | Education Manager

10 month contracted Project Manager & Administrator

Kaihautū Matua | Executive Producer

APPLY NOW: Mātātuhi Foundation 2024 Literary Funding Grants

PARK(ing) Day 2025 - Call for proposals - NOW OPEN!

Call for Entries - Botanical Art Worldwide

Call for Entries

Events

Sci-Fi at Stardome

Bayleys Great Classics: Mozart & Dvořák

You're Invited: Celebrate 50 Years of Fingers at the Golden Anniversary Group Show

H.R. The Musical

Baroque & Beyond: Colours of Brass

Videos

VIDEO: Continuity of Creativity

VIDEO: The Social Artist

VIDEO: Stage Of Dreams

VIDEO - Homeless: Where The Art Is

VIDEO: Art Shines During Matariki

VIDEO: Making A Career Out Of Children’s Music

VIDEO: Transcending Oceans And Generations

VIDEO: Carve Your Own Path

VIDEO: Naked Ambition

VIDEO: Going, Going...Gone West?

VIDEO: Art Heals All

VIDEO: Young Māori Creatives Shine Bright

VIDEO: From Crime To Comedy

VIDEO: Write Them Off At Your Folly

VIDEO: Finding Your Voice - The Journey Of Opening Your Own Gallery