30 YEARS OF ARTS ACCESS AOTEAROA: From left clockwise: Thora Hübner and Mihailo Lađevac in Where Our Shadows Meet, devised by Equal Voices Arts Photo: Michael Smith; the 30 years logo; and Richard Benge (Executive Director, Vic Crockford (board Chair), Minister Paul Goldsmith and Te Aturangi Nepia-Clamp (Kaumātua) at the opening of Ngā Wāhi Auaha Creative Spaces Conference 2024.
Arts Access Aotearoa is marking 30 years of driving accessibility and inclusion in the arts for people and communities in Aotearoa New Zealand, often excluded from cultural life.
The organisation was founded as a charitable trust on 27 July 1995 with funding from Creative New Zealand and led by Penny Eames from 1995 until 2004. The late Mel Smith CNZM was the founding board Chair and became its Patron in 2002. The Patron in 2025 is Her Excellency, The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO, Governor-General of New Zealand.
Read more about the Arts Access Aotearoa team and its Patron, Kaumātua and board of trustees.
Arts Access Aotearoa was built on the belief that access to the arts is a basic human right – a belief that’s remained steadfast over 30 years. In that time, it has led the national conversation about arts accessibility and inclusion.
Today, it supports creative spaces, professional arts and cultural organisations, and Deaf and disabled artists. It also advises Te Ara Poutama Aotearoa Department of Corrections on its arts programmes in prisons, and advocates for the arts as a valuable tool supporting prisoner rehabilitation.
Richard Benge, Executive Director of Arts Access Aotearoa, says the 30-year milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the organisation’s impact and look forward to the work ahead.
“Access to creativity is about equity, opportunity and dignity,” he says. “Over 30 years, we’ve seen countless examples of the arts transforming lives – in prisons, communities, theatres, museums and art galleries.
“Our focus now is to build on that legacy and ensure every person in Aotearoa has access to the arts as artists and audience members.”
The numbers reflect Arts Access Aotearoa’s national reach and its impact:
Arts Access Aotearoa delivers its work through four programmes:
Vic Crockford, Chair of the Board, says the organisation's strength lies in its ability to work alongside others and lead with integrity.
“We have robust foundations and a clear strategic focus guiding our work,” she says. “We’re excited about working with our partners to deliver even more accessibility initiatives in the years ahead.”
Vic says that from the beginning, Arts Access Aotearoa has provided leadership and driven changes in accessibility and inclusion.
For example, the organisation:
Arts Access Aotearoa is grateful to its funders and supporters over many years. Thank you, Creative New Zealand, Ara Poutama Aotearoa Department of Corrections, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Foundation North, Auckland City Council, Wellington City Council, the Holdsworth Charitable Trust, Thomas George Macarthy Trust and Wellington Community Fund.
Thank you to Chapman Tripp for its pro bono legal services and to Flightdec, Strategic Partner.
For more information, visit 30 years of Arts Access Aotearoa.
Any queries, please contact:
Iona McNaughton
Communications Advisor | Kaitātari Whakawhitinga, Arts Access Aotearoa.
Phone: 04-802 4349 / 021 799 059
Email: iona.mcnaughton@artsaccess.org.nz