Stories by
Sam Ackerman
Sam Ackerman is an accomplished broadcaster, journalist and MC, working across both sport and creativity. With a wealth of experience across TV, radio and online, Sam's many roles currently include regular sports correspondent on RNZ and Sport Nation, as well as Content Director and lead writer for NZ's leading creative website, The Big Idea.
Sam has become a leading advocate for the creative sector, driving The Big Idea into a leading source of arts news and opinion - giving the often under-represented creative community a voice to be heard and impact change.
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'Extraordinary Potential' - How NZ Creatives Can Tap Into Themed Entertainment OpportunityS
Sir Richard Taylor helped bring the heaviest hitters of the location-based entertainment sector to NZ - the Wētā Workshop wizard explains why it's an industry of huge potential for creatives. -
Lowdown: Big Success, Brave Calls & Tough Decisions
A huge week of creative news - with awards and finalists announcements, long-awaited comebacks, fresh talent staking their claim, global opportunities and the end of a theatre company. -
Building Connection Through Mafana
The Creative NZ Early Careers Fund window closes this Thursday - previous recipient George Funaki explains the impact it has on creating space and finding his way. -
Lowdown: Loss of a Legend Felt Deeply
Tributes to an extraordinary creative producer, festival excitement, big career boosts and arts sector comings-and-goings. -
Amplify Announced - NZ's Creative & Cultural Sector Strategy Confirmed
The Government's goals and support plans to shape the sector over the next five years have been revealed - Sam Ackerman breaks down all the key details. -
Lowdown: New $100K Fund To Bolster Pacific Storytelling
New grant opportunities and partnerships plus the latest awards, creative event line-ups and arts prize winners from all over Aotearoa. -
Creative funders discuss the use of AI in applications
With the use of AI on the rise, we ask the funding bodies most involved in NZ's arts and creativity sectors how they view and monitor the use of these new technologies in applications. -
Lowdown: Coveted Award For Important Kaupapa
The latest winners, new positions, funding dilemmas and success stories from across the Aotearoa Arts World. -
Lowdown: Big Name Arts Organisations Unite For Strategic Plan
A coalition of heavy-hitters are calling for more focus on pushing local authors, some big international success and opportunities for NZ talent and youth theatre's next creators brought together. -
New funding opportunity to make staging shows easier
Q Theatre's helping ease the financial risk for artists or companies wanting to get their shows in front of audiences – we break down how to apply for their new Season Support initiative. -
$20K Art Award Win "A Dream That Came True"
Success at the National Contemporary Art Awards isn't just a huge career boost, it's a prize that has been on Zena Elliott's radar for decades.