The Big Idea | Valuing creativity, accelerating success

Meri Kirihimete from the team at The Big Idea. Wishing you a prosperous New Year and another wonderful year of arts in 2020. Artwork courtesy of Amber Smith.

Matariki / Soapbox
I can tell you that I’m Māori but can’t recite my Pepeha
Annette Morehu proudly speaks of the Māori in her and her tamariki and questions iwi privilege on the dawn of Matariki.
Feature
The arts are vital to wellbeing, but where’s the Govt support?
Professor Peter O’Connor says the Government is ignoring the overwhelming evidence regarding the arts’ role in education and mental health.
Word on the Street
Karaoke, drunk actors and books… Oh my!
Dominic Hoey brings us the best parties happening in and around Tāmaki Makaurau this weekend, along with some hopeful news from South Auckland.
Arts Smarts
Tips from Jon Toogood on going back to study
Thinking about returning to university after a long gap, or for the first time as an adult student? Shihad’s Jon Toogood has been there, done that, and has some advice.
The Lowdown
Why Te Papa’s new CEO appointment is major news
In the final Lowdown of the decade, Mark Amery rounds up the juiciest arts stories from the past week, and brings us the best of those ubiquitous ‘best-of’ lists.
Feature
Power of an alter-ego
Auckland artist Sam Bradford talks an alias and how his work shines the torch on the mangy underbelly of Kiwiana and the fragility of our society.
Artists Resale Royalty Survey
Add your thoughts to the discussion about the introduction of a resale royalty scheme for visual artists in New Zealand.
Arts Smarts
Breaking out of that creative rut
If you work in the arts, at some point you’re bound to experience the dreaded rut. Kathryn Burnett has some top tips for moving forward the next time your creative juices stop flowing.
Word on the Street
Skip the mall, support local artists this Christmas
Dominic Hoey rounds ups the best spots in Tāmaki Makaurau to grab killer Christmas gifts and drinks in the next week.
The Lowdown
Has the art world gone bananas?
Pricey produce, a massive mural and more in this week’s round-up of arts news from NZ and around the globe.
Feature
Arts On Tour announces regional awards
Dominic Hoey speaks to Steve Thomas, the man behind Arts On Tour, and uncovers some tall tales.
Advice to My 22-Year-Old Self
‘Get off the hamster wheel of obsession and have a life’
Rashmi Pilapitiya tracks back to feeling devastated after being let go from a corporate job. She recounts the life-changing conversation that set her on a new path.
Feature
Want to build a sustainable career in the creative sector?
Applications are now open for Massey’s Master of Creative Enterprise 2020 programme. Here’s how it can help you to turn your creativity into a career, and some inside tips for your application.
Feature
Australia's Disappearing Arts Department: Politicians respond
Australian politicians respond to the Government's decision to merge the country's arts department into a super Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Word on the Street
Word On The Street: Punk and presents
Dominic Hoey’s round-up of the best gigs, exhibitions and events happening around Aotearoa in the next week.
The Lowdown
Boomer to the rescue
A lycra-clad actor saves the day, a New Zealand film named best-ever by a female director and more in Mark Amery’s latest weekly round-up of unmissable arts news.
Feature
Forty artist scholarships on offer for groundbreaking conference
Lemi Ponifasio, guest curator of NZ Festival, explains how he plans to start some crucial conversations.
Feature
‘Speak yourself into existence’
One of Aotearoa’s most promising young voices talks to Dominic Hoey about identity, building resilience and the importance of good mentors.
Arts Insiders
Viv Stone - The driving force behind Auckland’s best-kept secret
Bringing a legacy to life is a special challenge in an arts career. Andrea Rush talks to Viv Stone about her passion to mature NZ’s art infrastructure.
Arts Smarts
Taking care of yourself online
For writers, performers and other artists, social media can be both fertile and frightening. ABC’s Osman Faruqi shares some tips on looking after yourself online.

Jobs

opportunity

Auckland Council

Artist in Residence – Auckland Regional Parks

Call for applications for our 2020 parks-based residency.

Region:

Auckland

Closes:

24 Feb 2020

opportunity

New Zealand Festival of the Arts

Artist Scholarships to Talanoa Mau

Artist Scholarships applications are now open for Talanoa Mau curated by Lemi Ponifasio. 24 & 25 February 2020, NZ Festival of the Arts

Region:

National

Closes:

10 Jan 2020

View all Jobs

Events

Event

March 13 - 15 at 8:30pm

Place des Anges

As the sun sets over the city, high above the tree tops, angels descend from the heavens.

Venue:

Auckland Domain

Auckland

Kelcy Taratoa, replicant, 2006, courtesy of Te Manawa

Event

Open Daily. 10am - 4.30pm. 5 Oct 2019 - 1 Mar 2020

Kelcy Taratoa - who am i? episode 001

A mid-career survey of work by contemporary artist Kelcy Taratoa, dealing with cultural identity in 21st century Aotearoa.

Venue:

Tauranga Art Gallery

Bay of Plenty

View all Events

Executive Director

A rare role for an experienced Executive Director with vision and drive to work for this high calibre community of of creative collaborators

Auckland

01/23/2020

Artist Scholarships to Talanoa Mau

Artist Scholarships applications are now open for Talanoa Mau curated by Lemi Ponifasio. 24 & 25 February 2020, NZ Festival of the Arts

National

01/10/2020

Artwork Commission for Parliament - Call for Proposals

Parliament is seeking design submissions for an artwork commission for the entrance foyer of the Beehive.

National

01/29/2020

Opportunity / Objectspace

Curator: Contemporary Jewellery Triennial

Opportunity / Creative New Zealand

Adviser, Policy & Performance

Opportunity / The New Zealand Dance Company

Artistic Director

Opportunity / The New Zealand Dance Company

Executive Director

Event / 18 Jan 2020

Shoreside Theatre presents Auckland Shakespeare in the Park - As You Like It & Macbeth

Event / 18 Mar 2020

Verses (Black Grace)

Event / 17 Nov 2019

Sculpture in the Gardens

Event / 17 Jan 2020

I can tell you that I’m Māori but can’t recite my Pepeha

The arts are vital to wellbeing, but where’s the Govt support?

Karaoke, drunk actors and books… Oh my!

Tips from Jon Toogood on going back to study

Why Te Papa’s new CEO appointment is major news

Power of an alter-ego

Artists Resale Royalty Survey

Breaking out of that creative rut

Skip the mall, support local artists this Christmas

Has the art world gone bananas?

Arts On Tour announces regional awards

‘Get off the hamster wheel of obsession and have a life’

Want to build a sustainable career in the creative sector?

Australia's Disappearing Arts Department: Politicians respond

Word On The Street: Punk and presents

Boomer to the rescue

Forty artist scholarships on offer for groundbreaking conference

‘Speak yourself into existence’

Viv Stone - The driving force behind Auckland’s best-kept secret

Taking care of yourself online

Executive Director

Artist Scholarships to Talanoa Mau

Artwork Commission for Parliament - Call for Proposals

Curator: Contemporary Jewellery Triennial

Adviser, Policy & Performance

Artistic Director

Executive Director

Shoreside Theatre presents Auckland Shakespeare in the Park - As You Like It & Macbeth

Verses (Black Grace)

Sculpture in the Gardens

‘Aka Tatau: Drop-in Patterning Workshop with Artist Ani O’Neill

Our Partners

I can tell you that I’m Māori but can’t recite my Pepeha

The arts are vital to wellbeing, but where’s the Govt support?

Karaoke, drunk actors and books… Oh my!

Tips from Jon Toogood on going back to study

Why Te Papa’s new CEO appointment is major news

Power of an alter-ego

Artists Resale Royalty Survey

Breaking out of that creative rut

Skip the mall, support local artists this Christmas

Has the art world gone bananas?

Arts On Tour announces regional awards

‘Get off the hamster wheel of obsession and have a life’

Want to build a sustainable career in the creative sector?

Australia's Disappearing Arts Department: Politicians respond

Word On The Street: Punk and presents

Boomer to the rescue

Forty artist scholarships on offer for groundbreaking conference

‘Speak yourself into existence’

Viv Stone - The driving force behind Auckland’s best-kept secret

Taking care of yourself online

Jobs

Events

Executive Director

Artist Scholarships to Talanoa Mau

Artwork Commission for Parliament - Call for Proposals

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Our Partners