Artsenta Dunedin

09/10/2026

This symposium brings together leaders of creative wellbeing spaces and programmes from across New Zealand with presentations focused on best practice case studies, research showing community impact, different cultural perspectives, and the voices of tangata whaiora, people with lived experience of mental distress or addiction
Registrations are open to the public for the one day event to be held at Otago Museum. See www.artsenta.org for the full programme.

Register here >>> https://events.humanitix.com/toi-piringa-the-art-of-connection?fbclid=IwY2xjawU1MURleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMXNQNk5XRzROZmxFYVQ4V1pzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeGaqqf-KqkmRWJkC-Pvm8zEkkqyHtBRchfCsy6A-DYwmip772SsqgKOu1JZE_aem_XOfCXEb3QctdhVqjizUTaQ

09/10/2026

We are thrilled to welcome Chloe MacKenzie as one of our incredible speakers at Toi Piringa – The Art of Connection on 14 October at the Otago Museum! Nau mai haere mai!

Chloe is a researcher and creative practitioner whose work explores how art-making fosters connection, belonging, and emotional refuge. Her recently completed PhD - Roots of Connection: Arts, Peacebuilding, and Integration focused on arts-based peacebuilding and community creativity with migrant and refugee women in Aotearoa New Zealand, and received an Exceptional Thesis award!

Alongside her research, Chloe works across tactile and storytelling-based creative practices like needle felting and soft sculpture, and previously facilitated a community arts initiative at the Valley Project building social cohesion through art. She is deeply passionate about creating welcoming, pressure-free creative spaces where people can slow down, connect, and express themselves.

We can't wait for Chloe to share her insights during our Cultural Perspectives panel discussion!

Find out more about the programme and presenter biographies at

08/10/2026

We are so excited to highlight another incredible guest speaker joining us for Toi Piringa The Art of Connection symposium : Dr. Amanda Woodford.

Amanda is a mixed media artist, registered Creative Arts Therapist (ANZACATA), and approved supervisor working from her therapeutic arts studio, Holding Space in Mornington, Dunedin. Alongside her practice, she is an academic coordinating the MIECAT Institute’s professional doctorate course.

As an arts-based researcher, Amanda has a deep passion for finding ways to amplify voices that are quiet or less heard through traditional channels. Her therapeutic focus centers on supporting people living with the impact of ongoing experiences and understanding cultural ways to foster community connection.

During her presentation, Amanda will reflect on her and her colleagues' research into how creativity supports well-being for people living with ongoing health conditions. They bring to their work not only lived experience, but also rich insights from working with people experiencing disability and disabling challenges. This is going to be a profoundly moving and insightful kōrero you won't want to miss!

When: Tuesday, 14 October 2026
Where: Tūhura Otago Museum

Tag someone who should be in the room with us!

07/10/2026

Less than a week to go . . . .
Register now https://events.humanitix.com/toi-piringa-the-art-of-connection

06/10/2026

The countdown is on, only 8 days to go!

Artsenta and the Creative Arts Trust are delighted to present Toi Piringa - The Art of Connection, a symposium on creativity and wellbeing to celebrate our 40th anniversary during this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

Get your tickets through HUMANITIX now
https://events.humanitix.com/toi-piringa-the-art-of-connection

02/10/2026

The excitement is building for Toi Piringa – The Art of Connection symposium, coming up on Tuesday, 14 October at Tūhura Otago Museum!

We are thrilled to feature an incredible line-up of speakers, including our special guest speaker, Kim Morton. Nau mai haere mai!

Kim is the founder and director of Ōtautahi Creative Spaces in Christchurch,a vibrant creative community supporting people who have experienced mental distress and trauma. Driven by the dream that everyone should have access to the life-changing power of creativity, Kim is a fierce advocate for the policies and resources needed to help arts and health flourish across Aotearoa.

Fresh from an arts and health research course in Edinburgh, and backed by her Churchill Fellowship investigating arts prescription, Kim brings incredible international insights, research, and practice to our kōrero. You won't want to miss hearing her speak!

When: Tuesday, 14 October 2026
Where: Tūhura Otago Museum

Secure your spot & view details: https://artsenta.org/symposium/

Tag a friend, colleague, or fellow creative who needs to be in the room!

02/10/2026

Our latest Artsenta radio show featured four writers from our Tuesday Poets group sharing their albatross poems. Beautiful work and lovely conversations. Guaranteed to get you soaring!

Poetry in the Wild - Poetry selections from Artsenta's new book on 40 years of Poetry from Artsenta. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

02/10/2026

We are honored to highlight another visionary speaker joining us to explore the profound healing power of creativity at our Symposium - Toi Piringa – The Art of Connection .

While some people build therapy rooms, Asha Munn builds creative doorways.
As a psychotherapist, EMDR therapist, artist, and founder of Breathing Space Charitable Trust and With Wonder, Asha has spent more than 25 years exploring what happens when creativity is treated not as decoration, but as expression, connection, and healing. Her extensive work moves through youth justice settings, schools, homes, galleries, and communities often excluded from care. A graduate of the Elam School of Fine Arts, she is recognized internationally for her innovative, trauma-informed creative wellbeing practice, including award-winning work alongside vulnerable young people in Aotearoa and the UK.

At the symposium, Asha’s presentation will draw on insights from more than 25 years of frontline practice, offering a deeply moving and practical look at how creative expression transforms lives.

Join Asha and our incredible lineup of leaders as Artsenta and the Creative Arts Trust celebrate 40 years during Mental Health Awareness Week! Running alongside the A River of Creativity exhibition at Tūhura Otago Museum, this is an opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired.

Date: Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 8:30 am – 5:15 pm
Venue: Tūhura Otago Museum, 419 Great King Street, Dunedin

Tickets available online https://artsenta.org/symposium/

01/10/2026

>>>GIVE AWAY TIME>You could win an Artsenta 40th celebration T-shirt and tote bag PLUS a special exhibition pass to Tūhura Otago Museums epic Dinosaurs 🦖 exhibition by doing the following . . .
✨Like and share this post
✨Tag a friend that loves being creative

*Click the event link for symposium info
**T-shirts and totes available to purchase at Tūhura Otago Museum

30/09/2026

As we lead up to Toi Piringa – The Art of Connection, we are excited to introduce another one of our inspiring presenters exploring the profound link between creativity and mental wellbeing.

Nau mai, haere mai to Mickey Espino, a contemporary artist, psychology researcher, and intern psychologist based in Aotearoa New Zealand. Mickey's creative practice draws deep inspiration from kintsugi, wabi-sabi, and the ways people make meaning from adversity, change, and imperfection.

Holding a Master of Science in Psychology alongside training in Recreational Therapy and Diversional Therapy, he has extensive experience supporting wellbeing through creative and meaningful activities across health and community settings.

Mickey's recent Master's research explored the use of kintsugi as a creative approach to wellbeing through community-based workshops. He is deeply passionate about bringing together art, creativity, and psychology to foster connection, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

Hear from Mickey and many other incredible leaders at Artsenta and the Creative Arts Trust's 40th-anniversary symposium during Mental Health Awareness Week! Running in conjunction with the A River of Creativity exhibition at Tūhura Otago Museum, this special event celebrates how creative practice builds confidence,
reduces isolation, and strengthens our community.

Date: Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 8:30 am – 5:15 pm
Venue: Tūhura Otago Museum, 419 Great King Street, Dunedin

Tickets available online https://artsenta.org/symposium/