Creative Spaces Network

12/05/2026

👉👉New research from University College London has found that engaging in arts and culture may actually slow the pace of biological ageing. 🎨🎶

“Arts and cultural engagement should be recognised as a health-promoting behaviour in a similar way to exercise.”

The study found people who regularly participated in creative activities such as music, reading, painting, museums, dance and cultural events showed signs of slower biological ageing, with weekly engagement linked to a 4% slower ageing rate.

Researchers say the impact was comparable to the benefits of regular exercise.

This is another powerful reminder that creativity is not a luxury, it is deeply connected to wellbeing, connection and healthy communities.

🔗🔗The Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/may/12/arts-cultural-engagement-linked-slower-pace-biological-ageing-ucl-research

📸 ID: Connect the Dots Charitable Trust at their Henderson Community work shop

07/05/2026

👉🏽👉🏽Calling all creative spaces, researchers, artists, educators, community leaders and others passionate about, or interested in, how creative practices and spaces contribute to individual and collective wellbeing.

🎨🎨Artsenta is seeking expressions of interest to present at a symposium exploring the role of creativity in supporting and enhancing wellbeing on 14 October 2026 in Ōtepoti Dunedin.

For more info and how to make your submission:

🔗 🔗: https://creativespacesnetwork.org.nz/Arts%20News/Artsenta-calls-for-expressions-of-interest-to-present-at-symposium

📸 ID: Artsenta’s Paul McLelland-Smith holding two artworks of birds made out of various art supplies

04/05/2026

✨ Entries now open: IHC Art Awards 2026 ✨

We’re excited to share that the IHC New Zealand Art Awards 2026 are now open, a powerful national celebration of creativity, talent, and voice.

First launched in 2004, these awards provide a platform for artists with intellectual disabilities (and autism) to showcase their work, gain recognition, and even sell their art, with 100% of proceeds going directly to the artist.

🖌️ Open to artists aged 13+ across Aotearoa
📅 Entries open: 1 May 2026
📅 Entries close: 31 May 2026

This is more than an awards programme, it's an opportunity to be seen, heard, and celebrated on a national stage.

If you’re part of a creative space, support organisation, or community network, we strongly encourage you to share this opportunity and support artists to enter 💛

🔗 Find out more and enter here: https://www.ihc.org.nz/get-involved/art-awards

The IHC Art Awards provides artists with an intellectual disability the opportunity to have their talent recognised, their voices heard and to sell their work.

01/05/2026

👉🏽👉🏽A Tale of Two Lands – an exhibition featuring artwork created by Mandy Patmore, Director of Kākano Youth Arts Collective whilst on 2 Artist in Residence programmes in Peru and Iceland. We are so proud of her and the art she has created.
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Support an uplifting, amazing artist that does so much for our rangatahi
Event Details👇🏼
📍 Eyes on Fire Gallery,
📅 Friday 15th May
🕰️ 6pm.

01/05/2026

RUN IT BACK 🌩️ an event by the inspiring team at Kākano Youth Arts Collective will feature art from the likes of Rahlyah, her bold, contrasting art speaks volumes! Event details 👇🏼
📍 Barrel Store - Corban Estate Arts Centre 🏡
📅 20-24 May
🏃‍♂️ Opening event - 20 May,

26/04/2026

What an amazing turn out for Māpura Studios for their fashion for a cause event! 👚✨ community events like this are whats at the heart of being a creative space. Awesome mahi team ❤️

24/04/2026

🕺💃Jolt Dance performs Whakapapa in Dunedin!
Whakapapa, by Jolt Dance, share's the stories of six dancers with intellectual disabilities, exploring identity, culture and ancestral connection through dance, text and film to audiences in Ōtepoti Dunedin.

📅Tue 28 Apr 2026
⏰ 06:30 pm - 7:30pm

Does your creative organisation have an amazing event happening and you want to reach a bigger audience? post on our website using this link: https://creativespacesnetwork.org.nz/events

More details about this event via this link below ⬇️
https://creativespacesnetwork.org.nz/Events/Jolt-performs-Whakapapa-in-Dunedin

📸ID: Jokani Coe performs in Whakapapa. He is wearing a white button up shirt and receiving a lei on his head.

19/04/2026

Congratulations to our friends at Ōtautahi Creative Spaces ! we can’t wait to see what magic you all will create there 🖼️ 🎨 🌟

15/04/2026

👉🏽👉🏽 In honour of Music therapy week we’d love to showcase the amazing team and people at Sing Up Rodney 🎶

Sing Up Rodney is singing and community music therapy group for older people and those living with a neurological condition. Partners/carers and volunteer inquiries also welcome. This group meets on Thursday mornings - first week of the month (except January) in Warkworth, other weeks in Ōrewa, usually school term time. Sing Up Rodney is run by the Kahikatea Music Therapy & Community Arts Trust

learn more about Sing Up Rodney via this link 👇🏼
🔗 🔗 https://creativespacesnetwork.org.nz/Resources%20Disability%20Index%20Page/creative-spaces-national-directory-

📸 ID: Sing Up Rodney at Freeling Holt House, private hospital and rest home.

14/04/2026

👉🏽👉🏽 Calling all creative spaces in Aotearoa.
This funding resource directory highlights funding opportunities available to creative spaces, artists, and community organisations across Aotearoa. The directory includes government funding, philanthropic foundations, regional community trusts, and useful funding search tools.

Read more via this link below 👇🏼
🔗 🔗 https://creativespacesnetwork.org.nz/Resources-Advocacy-Posting/National-funding-directory

09/04/2026

It’s Music Therapy Week 2026 from 10 to 15 April.

Music therapist Ella Polczyk-Przybyla works with the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre, a creative space with branches in Auckland, Northland and the Hawkes's Bay.

Ella blogs about the profound impact that music therapy has on individuals and communities throughout Aotearoa.

“This year’s Music Therapy Week theme, Weaving Connections | Te Poutama Hononga, captures what music therapy is all about: creating threads of connection between people, whānau and communities. Making music together – playing instruments, singing, listening – encourages collaboration, trust and mutual understanding."

🔗🔗Read "The transformative power of music":
https://artsaccess.org.nz/The-transformative-power-of-music

ID: a black and white image of Ella playing a saxaphone.



Paul Goldsmith