AI In Applications – Creative Funders Discuss
Funding applications can be stressful and time consuming - and often require you to use skills that may not be in your creative realm. Where it’s written word, English not being your first language, business plans…there are many elements that can cause immense stress. Who wouldn't want an easier, more effective way? Last week, we heard from AI Expert Maggie Buxton with her thoughts from the frontline - which raised some questions that many creatives may identify with. When it comes to putting together applications, there has been whispers about how AI is used and what is or isn’t allowed from the funding bodies. So The Big Idea decided to cut through the rumours and head right to the source. We asked nine of the organisations that are crucial to fundi
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Big Name Arts Organisations Unite For Strategic Plan
When a sector unites for a common cause - it sends quite the statement. And that’s the case after 40 representatives from right across the Aotearoa book sector have put their names to a document they hope will help increase the visibility and sales of books by local authors. It’s a broad representation, with authors, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, writer festivals, copyright specialists, librarians, readers and educators all signing on for Mahi Tahi Work Together: A Strategic Plan for the Aotearoa New Zealand Book Sector 2025 – 2030. There’s some heavy hitting agencies and organisations involved, with representatives of Creative New Zealand (Malcolm Burgess), Ministry of Culture and Heritage (Oliver Powell), Coalition for NZ Books (Melan
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New Funding Opportunity Opens To Make Staging Shows Easier
Every creative concept needs support - and getting your mahi across the finish line can face several hurdles. In the performing arts space, that’s often the cost of venue hire and the risks that come with it. It’s a familiar tale that Q Theatre often hears. Interim Chief Executive Barbara Glaser explains. “We've been looking at it from a ‘whole of sector’ perspective. Talking to a lot of people in New Zealand - but in Auckland in particular - knowing how tough it is out there at the moment for theatre producers to have the confidence to put on a show, when there's just so much economic pressure and so much uncertainty in everything.” So in an effort to get more shows on stage and extra life into their space - They’ve launched the Q Season Support initi
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$20K Art Award Win “A Dream That Came True”
Zena Elliott is a deep thinker and passionate about their creative practice - and now has a major award to back up those decades of devotion. Elliott has claimed the $20,000 top prize at the prestigious National Contemporary Art Awards with their work - The Silence Forced Upon Us Is Louder Than the Crown’s Declarations of Partnership and Fairness - as the annual exhibition was opened at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery. Elliott told The Big Idea this triumph is"a dream that came true," detailing that "It is a game changer in my career as an artist. "I hope that I may no longer need to plea for an art show or submit an exhibition proposal to the limited available gallery spaces that is often contested and underfunded. "Through the recogni
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Video: Dance and Art Therapy
https://youtu.be/s6xpfG7LqL0 The lives of thousands of New Zealanders are uplifted through creativity, with leading dance and arts therapists making a difference to those who need this specalised support the most. Published on The Big Idea
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Video: Living Your Art
https://youtu.be/SlbweBSODrA An unrelenting dedication to his award-winning craft, Kalisolaite ‘Uhila gives us an insight into the sacrifice he makes to drive his performance art. Published on The Big Idea
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Video: Arts Sector: The Student Perspective
https://youtu.be/7zAYVKSxWwo Arts education comes under fire from all quarters but what do those actually in the tertiary art system think about it - and their prospects of entering the industry? Published on The Big Idea
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Video: The Bigger Picture
https://youtu.be/uGRf0TfU_x0 This video is made with the support of NZ on Air Public Interest Journalism Fund. Scott Lawrie has seen the world as a Gallerist. After years cutting his teeth as a Gallery Director in New Zealand, Lawrie moved his eponymous Gallery over to his native Scotland after needing to return home for family reasons. He remains deeply rooted in the art of Aotearoa and the Pacific, bringing the mahi of many artists across to the Northern Hemisphere to showcase their work. Lawrie’s always cut against the grain of a gallery owner, more fascinated with the works of emerging artists during his time in Aotearoa than established ones - and often combining both into the same show. Never one to hold back an opinion, Lawrie has key words of advice on
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The Big Idea: Arts At Full Speed
Organisations all over Aotearoa are beginning to hit the cruise control button and reach for the Christmas drinks trolley - but PANNZ didn't get the memo. The Performing Arts Network of New Zealand is ramping up their important mahi, as they bring forward a multitude of options for artists and producers to secure their 2025 creative plans nice and early. The always popular PANNZ Art Market has opened for registration - the 2025 event taking place in Tāmaki Makaurau between 5-7 March, taking place during the first week of the Auckland Arts Festival to give travelling creatives even more reason to make the trip. The three days curated programme of Pitches, performances and full-length showcases, along with invaluable networking opportunities and panels is always a pivota
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Video: For The Birds
https://youtu.be/8fiDwsr_sCI How a neighbourhood arts practice made it international - and what happens when your art becomes the target of copycat creations. Published on The Big Idea
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