23 inspiring
community stories

Since she started writing in her teens, her work has shapeshifted from lyrics, to poetry, spoken word, scripts, and videos.

Welcome back to Global Compass, a monthly digest tracking the international movements of Aotearoa artists and sharing opportunities you won’t want to miss.

Matariki Williams shares the challenges of using imperfect archives for a project that aims to contextualise Māori art and correct the canon.

The theatre maker and filmmaker also explains why she loves to watch bad plays.

Within disability-led arts practice, technology is not a prosthesis that compensates for lack, but a collaborator that reshapes how agency circulates.

Digital platforms produce fast, market-driven design. Can slower, obsolete processes restore meaning through labor?

Gabi Lardies dives into this week’s arts news.

The actress has been touring Prima Facie around the motu for almost three years. The impact on her, and on audiences, has been huge.

PROWL Fest brings a litany of events to Auckland Pride. Sam Brooks talks to artistic director Hayley Walters and co-producer Renee Wikitoria about what it takes to bring a “mini-festival” to life.

As well as open calls, new beginnings, and free art history lessons.

The actor and producer shares how she navigates an industry that can be soul-sucking.

The human rights lawyer, educator, and bestselling author explains how she has used a beautiful book to teach people about Te Tiriti.

Your guide to our stories, columns, and categories.

Shoreside Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park hits its 30th anniversary this year. Sam Brooks talks to board member and longtime participant James Bell on how the company has lasted so long.

Jean Teng talks to Jenna Wee about her way of finding Asians doing cool shit – starting a podcast before everybody else had one.

Mark Amery considers the value of public art collections while visiting three very different exhibitions in the North Island this summer

Getting the next iteration of The Big Idea moving forward.

We’re back and busier than ever!

The painter’s biggest inspirations are older women who never stopped making, even when no-one was looking.

A new monthly digest tracking Aotearoa artists overseas and international opportunities you don't want to miss, brought to you by Genista Jurgens.

Every week, school students walk through the doors of Wairau. What do the education programmes offer them?

An informative guide for those who list jobs, opportunities or events with The Big Idea.

The Big Idea team reflect on the year that was in the arts.