The Big Idea | Valuing creativity, accelerating success

Make a big difference to The Big Idea.

Help us tell the most creative stories.

Become a supporter

Stories

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

‹ previous
…
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
…
next ›

Story tags

Advice to My 22-Year-Old Self

Art off the Beaten Track

Arts Insiders

Arts Smarts

Counting The Beat

Covid-19

Don't Give up Your Day Job Podcast

Feature

Going Global

Guides

House Visits

Matariki

Mentoring

Soapbox

Summer Revival

The Lowdown

Tough Crowd

Who Got The Gig?

Word on the Street

Noticeboard

2022 Feature Screenplay & TV Pilot Contest Finalists

Author:

ShoreScripts

Arts Access Aotearoa announces recipients of fellowships

Author:

Arts Access Aotearoa

A winning way with words

Author:

Stuff