Call for Nominations: Arts Access Awards 2019

Deadline: 8 April 2019

Do you want to see an outstanding disabled artist recognised? How about an inclusive project celebrating community arts or a leader providing access to the arts for people in New Zealand? Nominations to this year’s Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards, presented annually by Arts Access Aotearoa are now open.

Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards celebrate the contribution of individuals, groups and organisations in providing access to the arts. They also acknowledge the achievements and contribution of a New Zealand-based artist or writer with a physical, sensory or intellectual impairment, or lived experience of mental ill-health.

Award Categories

Arts Access Community Arts Award, recognising the outstanding results of a recent collaborative, inclusive arts project. It will have demonstrated a high standard of artistic outcomes and followed best practice in community participation. It will also have directly involved a community or communities that experience barriers to participation in the arts.
Arts Access Artistic Achievement Award, recognising the outstanding achievements and contribution of a New Zealand-based artist, who has a physical, sensory or intellectual impairment, or lived experience of mental ill-health.
Arts Access Holdsworth Creative Space Award, recognising the outstanding contribution and impact of a creative space that provides opportunities for people with limited access to make art, across any or all artforms.
Arts Access Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award, recognising a professional performing arts company, festival, literary organisation, venue, producer or gallery that best demonstrates its commitment to building new audiences by becoming more accessible to disabled and Deaf people.
Arts Access Corrections Māui Tikitiki a Taranga Award, recognising an individual who demonstrates the qualities of Māui (innovation, creativity and leadership) and provides arts programmes in a New Zealand prison that reflect cultural inclusion and diversity. These programmes support and encourage pathways into rehabilitation and reintegration.
Arts Access Corrections Whai Tikanga Award, recognising the outstanding contribution of a community group, organisation, initiative or individual working in a prison (e.g. Te Tirohanga or Te Mane Wahine) or Community Probations setting, and using tikanga and the arts to encourage a strong cultural identity and support pro-social living.