The Big Idea | Valuing creativity, accelerating success

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

Feature
Word on the Street
In his new column, Dominic Hoey highlights upcoming events that might otherwise fly under the radar. This week, confronting art and a chance to see Aotearoa’s next big things before they blow up.
The Lowdown
Farewell, wahine toa
A New Zealand icon gone too soon, severe flooding at the Venice Biennale and other must-read arts news in this week’s Lowdown by Mark Amery.
Feature
A frickin' awful Christmas
From silk boxers to awkward urinal encounters, the cast and crew of The Basement’s Christmas show share their worst-ever Christmas experiences.
Feature
Lontalius on his ‘difficult second album'
Dominic Hoey talks to Eddie Johnston (Lontalius) about what he’s gleaned about collaboration and his time in the US.
Feature
What these residency applicants got right
We find out what makes a successful residency proposal stand out from the rest.
Arts Smarts
Why doing a U-turn is OK
Embracing failure is one of the hardest challenges we face as professionals. How to use those failures is a lesson all arts organisations need to learn.
Advice to My 22-Year-Old Self
'It’s not your job to smile'
If you could go back and give your 22-year-old self some advice, what would you say? Lisa Crawley has some choice words of wisdom.
The Lowdown
Dirt, cat food and clickbait
Mark Amery rounds up the bold and beautiful in arts news from New Zealand and beyond in this week’s Lowdown #71.
Arts Smarts
How to take a career break
From building in rest periods to taking extended sabbaticals, raising a family or reassessing your career, here's how and when to take a break even when you love what you do.
Feature
‘Young men are killing off their kindness’
He grew up idolising criminals and gangsters. Now Todd Williams, AKA Louie Knuxx, is a role model for at-risk youth. He chats about working with young people and the importance of vulnerability..
Who Got The Gig?
New CCAT boss: 'I’ve written a lot of love letters'
How do you score a job spearheading Aotearoa’s most exciting festivals? Turns out it’s all about communication, passion and finding your zen.
Arts Smarts
How to cope with the pressure to do more
Systemic issues, hustle culture, financial necessity and personal ambition can make it difficult to set boundaries. We ask experts to share thoughts on how vulnerability and self-compassion can help.
Arts Smarts
Tips for beating imposter syndrome
Scoring the job doesn’t always lead to the confidence boost you'd expect. Many people in the arts suffer from crippling self-doubt. Here’s how to get on top of it.
Feature
Highlights from the just-released NZ Festival programme
Curated by Bret McKenzie, Laurie Anderson and Lemi Ponifasio, the 32nd New Zealand Festival of the Arts looks to be one of next year’s most exciting cultural events. Kate Powell shares her top picks.
Feature
Where artists can turn for help
In 2017, musician Lydia Cole released an album, toured the country and moved to Berlin. Then the chest pains started.
Feature
Auckland’s Spotify superstar
His first hit, Demon’s Cave, has been played millions of times worldwide. Now, Auckland musician Roy Irwin is back with some fresh new tunes.
The Lowdown
Who’s stepped down and who’s headed out?
In the Lowdown #70, Kate Powell brings us the latest need-to-know arts news, including Kiwi acts going global, new tech for deaf music-lovers and the country’s coolest little lit fest.
Feature
There's no stopping them
Around the world, youth are demanding change. We talk to 19-year-old Matthew Goldsworthy, whose creative organisation helps other young people to discover their passion and power.
Feature
An Australian view on the 'Jacinda Effect'
As we head towards the 2020 election, our friends at ArtsHub Australia weigh in on the New Zealand Prime Minister, and what her leadership means for the arts.
Arts Smarts
Doing it for yourself
No publisher? No problem, says one of New Zealand’s most prolific and profitable authors.
Feature
'Keeping it real' on social media
With over 80,000 followers, renowned visual artist Mr G knows a thing or two about social media. He discusses authenticity, strategy, and why it’s never a bad thing to put yourself out there.
Arts Smarts
The ultimate guide to working from home and staying focused
Independent creatives share tips for dodging distraction when working from home and how to set up a work space that works for you.
Arts Smarts
Feeling unfulfilled? The Japanese concept of ‘ikigai’ could reveal your true purpose
If you're feeling stuck and unsure of your next move, there’s a simple yet powerful Japanese concept that could help.

Jobs

opportunity

The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi

Springboard

Six mentor packages kickstarting sustainable arts careers in 2020.

Region:

National

Closes:

20 Dec 2019

opportunity

New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata

Adam Portraiture Award 2020: Call for Entries

Entries for the Adam Portraiture Award 2020 are now open.

Region:

National

Closes:

6 Dec 2019

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

Event

Fri 29 Nov 2-8pm, Sat 30 Nov & Sun 1 Dec 11am-8pm

Two Hands Tattoo - Tattoo Time

Tattoo prices start at $150

Venue:

Studio One Toi Tū

Auckland

View all Events

Creative New Zealand – call for peer assessors

Creative New Zealand is looking for nominations for external peer assessors to join our pool of assessors for the next calendar year from March 2020.

The biggest Summer yet for artists in Rotorua

Six artists have been awarded fully supported summer artist residencies in Rotorua

Dunedin City Council Creative Register

Creative opportunities arise anywhere, anytime. Want to know when they come up at the DCC?

Opportunity / Experience Wellington

Production Manager, Public Programmes

Opportunity / The University of Auckland

Professional Teaching Fellow - Pacific Performance and Culture

Opportunity / Sustainable Coastlines

Design and Communications Summer Internship

Opportunity / Square Edge Arts Centre

Business Coordinator, Square Edge Community Arts

Event / 18 Jan 2020

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

Event / 28 Nov 2019

Pat Kraus / Gemma Syme - exhibition

Event / 20 Nov 2019

Is This Thing On? 2019 Graduate Exhibition

Event / 7 Dec 2019

Word on the Street

Farewell, wahine toa

A frickin' awful Christmas

Lontalius on his ‘difficult second album'

What these residency applicants got right

Why doing a U-turn is OK

'It’s not your job to smile'

Dirt, cat food and clickbait

How to take a career break

‘Young men are killing off their kindness’

New CCAT boss: 'I’ve written a lot of love letters'

How to cope with the pressure to do more

Tips for beating imposter syndrome

Highlights from the just-released NZ Festival programme

Where artists can turn for help

Auckland’s Spotify superstar

Who’s stepped down and who’s headed out?

There's no stopping them

An Australian view on the 'Jacinda Effect'

Doing it for yourself

'Keeping it real' on social media

The ultimate guide to working from home and staying focused

Feeling unfulfilled? The Japanese concept of ‘ikigai’ could reveal your true purpose

Creative New Zealand – call for peer assessors

The biggest Summer yet for artists in Rotorua

Dunedin City Council Creative Register

Production Manager, Public Programmes

Professional Teaching Fellow - Pacific Performance and Culture

Design and Communications Summer Internship

Business Coordinator, Square Edge Community Arts

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

Pat Kraus / Gemma Syme - exhibition

Is This Thing On? 2019 Graduate Exhibition

Comet Makers Market

Our Partners

Word on the Street

Farewell, wahine toa

A frickin' awful Christmas

Lontalius on his ‘difficult second album'

What these residency applicants got right

Why doing a U-turn is OK

'It’s not your job to smile'

Dirt, cat food and clickbait

How to take a career break

‘Young men are killing off their kindness’

New CCAT boss: 'I’ve written a lot of love letters'

How to cope with the pressure to do more

Tips for beating imposter syndrome

Highlights from the just-released NZ Festival programme

Where artists can turn for help

Auckland’s Spotify superstar

Who’s stepped down and who’s headed out?

There's no stopping them

An Australian view on the 'Jacinda Effect'

Doing it for yourself

'Keeping it real' on social media

The ultimate guide to working from home and staying focused

Feeling unfulfilled? The Japanese concept of ‘ikigai’ could reveal your true purpose

Jobs

Events

Creative New Zealand – call for peer assessors

The biggest Summer yet for artists in Rotorua

Dunedin City Council Creative Register

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