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Aotearoa’s home of creative opportunities, jobs, news, events and inspiration.

Featured Stories

  • Will End Of An Era Impact Iconic Creative Event?

    The Lowdown goes behind the sale of an Aotearoa artistic taonga, looks at the opportunities on the horizon, the passing of a creative powerhouse as well as major awards and movements in the sector.
    The Lowdown

  • The Final Deadline: 50,000 Word Novel In A Month

    Did playwright Courtney Rose Brown bite off more than she could chew in the National Novel Writing Month challenge? Follow her creative journey that had more twists and turns than most fiction books.
    Feature
  • Professional services directory promo image

    Professional Services Directory 2022/2023

    Aotearoa's premiere creative product and service directory. Find what you need, or how to get listed, in this exclusive index made for artists and creatives.
    Guides

  • How To Be Part Of TBI's Summer Guide 2022/23

    Calling all event organisers and promoters! The Big Idea's offering up a platform to make sure your summer event gets the attention it deserves.
    Guides

Featured Jobs

opportunity
Auckland Arts Festival
Artist Liaison Assistant/ Kaiāwhina Takawaenga Ringatoi
Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki / Auckland Arts Festival (AAF) 2023 is seeking a super-organised Artist Liaison Assistant/ Kaiāwhina Takawaenga Ringatoi.
Region:
Auckland
Closes:
7 Dec 2022
AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL TOI AHUREI TOI O TĀMAKI
opportunity
Experience Wellington
Retail Development Lead
Working together with and for Wellington to create remarkable experiences that generate vitality, strengthening the city we love.   
Region:
Wellington
Closes:
14 Dec 2022
opportunity
World of WearableArt
Head of Operations
Lead a talented team to support the delivery and growth of the annual wearable art competition.
Region:
Nelson / Tasman
Closes:
13 Jan 2023

Stories

  • Rob & Robin Dominate 2022 Art Accolades

    16 deserving Māori creatives have been honoured in this year's Te Waka Toi Awards - and two of the leading lights should be well used to acceptance speeches after memorable few months.
    Feature

  • Tyla Vaeau - Female Tufuga

    Courtney Sina Meredith details the path - and the passion - of a Sāmoan tatau artist, watching her in action and understanding the importance of breaking stereotypes in a male-dominated practice.
    Feature

  • Lowdown: International Success From Humble Beginnings

    A cavalcade of validation for Aotearoa creatives in your arts news bulletin - with awards earned, spotlights shared, communities represented and festivals both growing and returning.
    The Lowdown

  • The Struggle Is Real

    An open and honest insight into how a fun challenge to write a 50,000-word novel in a month has become an emotional rollercoaster - and how real life impacts your creativity.
    Feature

  • Clever Ways To Promote Your Arts Business

    When it's time to stop making art for your own enjoyment, here's how to find clients who pay.
    Arts Smarts

  • Dedication And Devotion Defines Flying Nun Folklore

    A crucially influential and criminally underestimated time in Aotearoa’s creative history has been salvaged - we speak to the man who's spent a decade working on documenting the Flying Nun era.
    Feature

  • Lowdown: Doors Open, Doors Close

    All the biggest news, happenings and events in the Aotearoa creative community - we herald those starting their careers, those at their peak and one that has sadly been cut short.
    The Lowdown

  • From Bedwetting to Billy T Nominee: Turning Anxiety Into Comedy

    Award-winning performer Maria Williams explains how long COVID turned her solo show - Anxiety...The Musical - into a duet and the importance of being able to laugh at yourself.
    Feature

  • How Music Can Change A Life

    To spotlight Music Therapy week, a reluctant vocalist with Parkinson's disease explains the impact joining a choir has had on his personal wellbeing and happiness.
    Soapbox

  • Do I Need To Use The © Symbol?

    If you're confused over how you ensure ownership of your work - or if you're able to tap into others - this is a must-read. One of Aotearoa's leading lights in the realm of copyright lays it bare.
    Arts Smarts

  • 2022 Arts Icons Revealed

    A trio of talented creatives have been elevated to the rarified air of Arts Icon status. Meet the latest additions to a unique collection of Aotearoa artistic minds.
    Feature

  • Hurricane Lizards And Plastic Squid

    Finding the alchemy of unlikely combinations is the driving force behind Louise McRae's latest exhibition - while forming a very likely combination with an experienced NZ curator.
    Feature

  • Lowdown: Kingmaker To Groundbreaker

    Get the latest creative news including addressing some startling stats from the Aotearoa Music Awards, some major impending announcements and how the UK's facing a similar arts funding backlash to NZ.
    The Lowdown

  • How To Write A Novel In 30 Days (By Someone Who Has Never Done It Before)

    Building back into her creativity after burning out, writer Courtney Rose Brown is throwing herself in the deep end. She explains why, and details her journey in National Novel Writing Month.
    Feature

  • How To Stop Boss Mode Quashing Your Creative Rush

    Making the move from creative to management - no matter what your practice - can be harder than you think. Verity Johnson looks into what to do when the fun is replaced by forms.
    Soapbox

  • Controversial Creative NZ Funding Rejection Made Public

    After snippets went viral around the globe that sparked a huge response, CNZ explains why it has now made Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ's full unsuccessful funding response public.
    Feature

  • City Gallery Wellington Saga - What Has Changed?

    It's been a year and a half since the organisation's controversial restructure had the creative community up in arms - Andrew Wood checks in see what it has achieved, with a puzzling discovery.
    Feature

  • Sweat Equity - Artists Take On Issue Confronting Aotearoa Creativity

    “Remuneration does not exist in contemporary visual arts in the same way it does in other sectors" - The creative minds behind the SCAPE 2022 Season explain why this year's theme is so important.
    Feature

  • Turning Unhappy Customers Into Allies

    Top tips from across the Tasman on how negative feedback can be used to your advantage.
    Arts Smarts

  • Arts Voices: How Studying Through The Pandemic Influenced Creativity

    As they prepare to head into their new creative career paths, we speak to a group of students about how the biggest disruption in generations impacted their mahi for an upcoming exhibition.
    Feature

  • EXCLUSIVE: First Cultural Regeneration Fund Recipients Revealed

    Get the Lowdown on who has been given first crack at the $28 million MCH fund and what happens from here for everyone else - as well as NZ filmmakers getting international recognition.
    The Lowdown

  • Do You Give A D.A.M.N.?

    A new arts activist group is finding its voice - we talk to those at the helm about what they're looking to achieve, the current state for independent artists and what they want funders to hear.
    Feature

  • Arts Advocacy Tool Launched To Achieve "Long-Term Change"

    We hear from one of the architects of a creative advocacy guide on what needs to happen to make a positive impact, the importance of a collective voice and the right narrative.
    Feature

  • Lowdown: Truth And Consequences Revealed

    A packed arts news bulletin covers a funding success that raises more questions than answers, an impacted organisation breaks its silence and we name another that's closing its doors for good.
    The Lowdown

  • CNZ React To Government Decision To Fund Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ

    The Government steps in to stop the curtain falling on a formerly CNZ funded programme - we have the details the leading arts funding organisation's swift response.
    Feature

  • How To Successfully Pitch Your Project To Streaming Services - Expert Advice

    The Big Idea speaks to one of Netflix's most influential contributors to find out what you need to get noticed - ahead of his appearance at this week's Semi Permanent Aotearoa.
    Arts Smarts

  • Art Chemist - A Prescription For Aotearoa

    Performance artist Audrey Baldwin has taken to dishing out artistic endeavours as cures for what ails us - she shares her creative tonics with The Big Idea.
    Soapbox

  • There's A Tuesday - Here Are Rising Stars

    On the eve of the Silver Scrolls, The Big Idea's Chris Forster talks to the two frontwomen of the indie band battling the big names for Aotearoa's top songwriting prize.
    Feature

  • Trust Your Gut Instinct

    One of the international speakers coming to this week's Semi Permanent Aotearoa highlights the importance of sticking up for yourself and other important tips for creative success.
    Advice to My 22-Year-Old Self
View all stories

Jobs

  • AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL TOI AHUREI TOI O TĀMAKI

    Artist Liaison Assistant/ Kaiāwhina Takawaenga Ringatoi

    Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki / Auckland Arts Festival (AAF) 2023 is seeking a super-organised Artist Liaison Assistant/ Kaiāwhina Takawaenga Ringatoi.
    Auckland
    12/07/2022

  • Retail Development Lead

    Working together with and for Wellington to create remarkable experiences that generate vitality, strengthening the city we love.   
    Wellington
    12/14/2022

  • Head of Operations

    Lead a talented team to support the delivery and growth of the annual wearable art competition.
    Nelson / Tasman
    01/13/2023

  • ASSISTANT PRODUCER

    Looking for the next generation of music producers
    Wellington
    12/05/2022
  • AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL TOI AHUREI TOI O TĀMAKI

    Expressions of Interest - Production

    We are seeking expressions of interest from experienced theatre and live arts professionals to join our Production Team.
    Auckland
    12/23/2022
  • Call for Entries

    Call for Entries - Art Awards 2023

    Attention all creatives - Lysaght Watt Trust Art Awards 2023 - Call for Entries
    Taranaki
    03/31/2023
  • Kiwi North

    Director

    Be a part of meaningful change in the Te Tai Tokerau “Northland” Community!
    Northland
    12/23/2022

  • Calls For Expression of Interest for the RAPS Project

    Can you think outside this Box? The Relocatable Autonomous Projection Structure Project
    Nelson / Tasman
    01/09/2023

  • Call for Entries - PANNZ Digital and In Person Arts Market

    Opportunity to pitch and showcase over a four-day Digital Arts Market, combined with a one-day In Person Market
    Online, Auckland
    12/05/2022

  • Call for Entries - 2023 Cleveland National Art Awards

    Entries are now open with a prize pool of over $15,000. Includes Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Digital, 3-D, and more.
    National
    03/10/2023

  • Production Manager

    To oversee and manage production requirements for the Dunedin Fringe Festival, 16-26 March 2023.
    Otago
    12/05/2022
  • Tylee Cottage in Central Whanganui

    Artist Residence

    Sarjeant Gallery calls for applications for three artist residencies at Tylee Cottage in Whanganui for February 2023 - June 2024
    Manawatu / Wanganui
    12/05/2022

Events

12/01/2022 to 12/03/2022

Pick 'n' Mix Pop up Exhibition

Pop in to Studio 445 to see an eclectic salon style exhibition of small works from 40 local Tāmaki Makaurau artists.
11/26/2022 to 02/28/2023

Summer at the beautiful things gallery and cafe

beautiful things is a space for art, for creative people, for everyone to enjoy, purchase your beautiful things online and instore
12/09/2022

Creative Mornings Auckland presents Anjana Lyer

Hear from Anjana Lyer, a multi-disciplinary designer with a background in illustration, animation, video editing, and project & studio management
View all Events

Community Announcements

Top 15 Finalists | Short Film Fund Fall Season
Community Announcement

Top 15 Finalists | Short Film Fund Fall Season

We are honored to announce the Top 15 Finalists of the Fall Season of the 2022 Short Film Fund!
Community Announcement

Exhibitions in Sculpture to mark the end of 20th Anniversary.

In celebration of its twentieth anniversary as an arts centre, Corban Estate Arts Centre presents a pair of exhibitions in the Homestead Galleries that explore the Estate’s historic connections to...
2022 Feature & TV Pilot Contest Finalists
Community Announcement

2022 Feature Screenplay & TV Pilot Contest Finalists

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FINALISTS!
Ari Kerssens and collaborator Tash van Schaardenburg. Ari is wearing a white shirt and tinted glasses, Tash is wearing a blue shirt and a tinted monocle
Community Announcement

Arts Access Aotearoa announces recipients of fellowships

Artists, a creative space and projects built around access, inclusion and participation in the arts are recipients of Arts Access Fellowships 2022, announced by Arts Access Aotearoa today.
Community Announcement

A winning way with words

The 2022 Sunday Star-Times short story awards are announced
CLNZ Visual Artist Representative, Yolunda Hickman
Community Announcement

Yolunda Hickman joins CLNZ Visual Arts Working Group

Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to new Visual Artist Representative, Yolunda Hickman.
View all Community announcements

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Top Reads
  1. City Gallery Wellington Saga - What Has Changed?
  2. Controversial Creative NZ Funding Rejection Made Public
  3. Clever Ways To Promote Your Arts Business
  4. Lowdown: Doors Open, Doors Close
  5. 2022 Arts Icons Revealed
  6. How To Write A Novel In 30 Days (By Someone Who Has Never Done It Before)
  7. How To Stop Boss Mode Quashing Your Creative Rush
  8. Lowdown: International Success From Humble Beginnings
  9. Do I Need To Use The © Symbol?
  10. Sweat Equity - Artists Take On Issue Confronting Aotearoa Creativity
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This site © The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui Charitable Trust 2018. All Rights reserved The Big Idea.

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