The Big Idea | Valuing creativity, accelerating success

Big Idea is the online hub for creatives seeking collaborators, opportunities and inspiration for enriching careers in the arts.

The Lowdown
‘Central Government Has Failed Us’
No punches pulled in this week’s arts news bulletin - Mark Amery brings you the outspoken, the controversial and the boundary pushers, along with what’s happening around the regions.
Feature
Helping to See the Sound
Esteemed singer-songwriter Paul McLaney's eye is just as important as his ear when it comes to his creativity process.
Feature
Sharing $16 Million of NZ Art
The man taking over one of the country's prestigious collections talks stamping his own mark, the digital way forward and making it more accessible.
Arts Smarts
Is Your Arts Practice Future Fit?
The hard work isn't over yet - whether you're a one man band or an arts organisation, now's the time to give your practice a health check up.
Feature
Building New Worlds
Learning how to not just create but to physically build and design performance settings is bringing film makers from around the globe to Toi Whakaari.
The Lowdown
Celebrating Arts Mavericks
Mark Amery keeps you in the know with the arts news that matters and helps you navigate an embarrassment of online reading, listening and viewing riches.
Feature
New Zealand's Latest Award-Winning Author
Behrouz Boochani has divided opinion across the country but the support of the NZ literary community has been unwavering as he achieves refugee status.
Feature
Back on the Wireless: Old School Creativity Boom
Just as fashion comes in cycles, radio fiction is making a comeback - but with a digital makeover.
Who Got The Gig?
Beckman Back in Town
From working with Annie Lennox and Liam Gallagher to some of the planet’s biggest events - Natasha Beckman’s incredible journey has led her back to where it all began.
Arts Smarts
A Creative's Guide to Ditching FOMO and Social Media Comparison
Ever made a 'Have Done List'? Lynnaire MacDonald has some helpful tips on how to take back control of your social media experiences and avoid the pitfalls of comparison.
The Lowdown
Virtual Takeover?
There's a bevy of new and enterprising offerings around Aotearoa but with a trend - how is the post-COVID online revolution affecting the traditional, physical delivery of arts?
Feature
Working on the Boundary
A unique artist opportunity awaits for those ready to test themselves in challenging conditions - with an audience of millions.
Feature
The Exceptional Ria Hall's New Venture
The Singer-songwriter on confronting the unknown, big life changes and why she has COVID-19 to thank for her new path.
Soapbox
What to do with Those Statues
The streets may not be flooded with protesters any more but as Jess Thompson Carr explains, the kaupapa of colonial statues is as important as ever to Māori.
Who Got The Gig?
Auckland’s Arts Advocate
Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi has dived head first into a much-needed advocacy role for Tāmaki Makaurau, and Alison Taylor wouldn’t have it any other way.
Arts Smarts
Prompt Advice
Struggling to get the wheels moving again after lockdown? Playwright Fleur Kilpatrick reflects on the spirit of art-making and offers a series of prompts to get your creative juices flowing.
The Lowdown
Staging Comeback?
Life is still nowhere near back to normal for our theatres. Mark Amery reveals more about the industry hardest hit by COVID-19 in this week’s arts news bulletin.
Feature
New Funding from CNZ: What You Need to Know
With the next phase of Creative NZ funding due to open soon, find out what you qualify for over the next 12 months.
Feature
Transform the Moment You're In
Rodney Bell doesn't let barriers stop him creating - a trailblazing artist with a story to keep you spellbound.
Feature
9 Tips for Selling Your Art Online
A must-know list for anyone looking to turn their creativity into cash online. These tips are practical, professional and pragmatic.
Feature
Upskill, Learn, Reinvent.
Opportunity is everything. Upsmarts brings some of the leading creative educational and upskilling courses direct to you.
Feature
Aotearoa's Art Angels
So many grassroot NZ creatives went the extra mile when the nation was in need of a morale boost during the pandemic's darkest days - it's time to celebrate them.
The Lowdown
The Lowdown Directory 2020
The quintessential guide to supporting and discovering NZ's arts media. So you know what to read, where to find it and who to approach.
Feature
Time for Radical Change
While some of her contemporaries are being forced to close, one leading designer explains why she's chosen now to launch her latest project and why beauty is a resistance.

Jobs

opportunity

Naked PR

Brand Director

Want to lead an exciting new PR agency, which specialises in art, music and creative communities? Apply within!

Region:

Auckland

Closes:

20 Sep 2020

opportunity

The Faculty of Education and Social Work, Auckland University

Call for Participants for Doctoral Research

There is an opportunity for theatre artists to contribute to a doctoral research project with the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland in 2020.

Region:

Auckland

Closes:

11 Sep 2020

opportunity

MediaWorks

Senior Setup Producer - The AM Show

Are you an experienced journalist, with the ability to identify news stories that New Zealanders really care about?

Region:

Auckland

Closes:

14 Aug 2020

opportunity

Doc Edge

$80,000 FUND FOR FILMMAKERS TO MAKE DOCUMENTARIES FOR KIDS.

The Doc Edge Rei Foundation Film Fund Open for Submission

Region:

Overseas

Closes:

31 Aug 2020

View all Jobs

Events

Event

Friday 18th & Sat 19th 10am – 8pm Sunday 20th Sept

The Auckland Art Show

The Auckland Art Show - an exciting visual extravaganza with thousands of original quality artworks from established and emergent artists.

Venue:

The Cloud

Auckland

Event

18 August, plus 30 days full access

Defining The New Normal - #ArtsSummit

Global virtual fundraising summit for arts, culture and heritage professionals

Venue:

Online

Overseas, National

Event

Saturday 8th August 10am to 4pm

The Future Of Building One (ex Carrington Hospital/Unitec) - Have your Say!

Have Your Say, Share Your Ideas & Vision Fill out a community survey for the future of Building One ex Carrington Hospital -

Venue:

Online & Community Open Day at Pt Chev Library

National, Auckland

Event

WED 2 SEPT 7PM - 11PM

Mingle at the Museum - Spring Fling

Our single most popular event of the year is back!

Venue:

Auckland War Memorial Museum

Auckland

Event

July 31 to Aug 8

Skylight by David Hare at The Pumphouse

Olivier and Tony Award winning play about two people bound together by a shared memory of passion, but divided by income and attitude.

Venue:

The Pumphouse

Auckland

Event

Thursday 13 August and Friday 14 August, 7:30pm

Night Light

An Evening of Earthy Contrast

Venue:

ASB Waterfront Theatre

Auckland

View all Events

08/29/2020

Gimme Shelter: a conversation on architecture and care

Be part of the conversation with this panel of thinkers about how built environments can build community.

10/08/2020

WOMEN IN FILM AND TELEVISION NEW ZEALAND AWARDS 2020

The WIFT NZ Awards joyfully celebrate the outstanding achievements of women in all aspects of the New Zealand screen industry, from women to watch to unsung heroines.

09/02/2020 to 09/06/2020

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler

“Probably the most important piece of political theatre of the last decade.”

Opportunity / Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

‘Central Government Has Failed Us’

Helping to See the Sound

Sharing $16 Million of NZ Art

Is Your Arts Practice Future Fit?

Building New Worlds

Celebrating Arts Mavericks

New Zealand's Latest Award-Winning Author

Back on the Wireless: Old School Creativity Boom

Beckman Back in Town

A Creative's Guide to Ditching FOMO and Social Media Comparison

Virtual Takeover?

Working on the Boundary

The Exceptional Ria Hall's New Venture

What to do with Those Statues

Auckland’s Arts Advocate

Prompt Advice

Staging Comeback?

New Funding from CNZ: What You Need to Know

Transform the Moment You're In

9 Tips for Selling Your Art Online

Upskill, Learn, Reinvent.

Aotearoa's Art Angels

The Lowdown Directory 2020

Time for Radical Change

Gimme Shelter: a conversation on architecture and care

WOMEN IN FILM AND TELEVISION NEW ZEALAND AWARDS 2020

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler

Personal Assistant to Chief Executive/Receptionist (Parental Leave Cover)

Art Show Support Staff

Full Time Accountant

Human Dance Manager

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler

Alpha Market brings you - Ponsonby Central Markets

At the Sign of the Crippled Harlequin - Dolphin Theatre

MOTAT presents The Royal Photographic Society's Science Photographer of the Year Exhibition

Our Partners

‘Central Government Has Failed Us’

Helping to See the Sound

Sharing $16 Million of NZ Art

Is Your Arts Practice Future Fit?

Building New Worlds

Celebrating Arts Mavericks

New Zealand's Latest Award-Winning Author

Back on the Wireless: Old School Creativity Boom

Beckman Back in Town

A Creative's Guide to Ditching FOMO and Social Media Comparison

Virtual Takeover?

Working on the Boundary

The Exceptional Ria Hall's New Venture

What to do with Those Statues

Auckland’s Arts Advocate

Prompt Advice

Staging Comeback?

New Funding from CNZ: What You Need to Know

Transform the Moment You're In

9 Tips for Selling Your Art Online

Upskill, Learn, Reinvent.

Aotearoa's Art Angels

The Lowdown Directory 2020

Time for Radical Change

Jobs

Events

Gimme Shelter: a conversation on architecture and care

WOMEN IN FILM AND TELEVISION NEW ZEALAND AWARDS 2020

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler

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Our Partners