Arts Wellington

14/05/2026

🎷🪊🎺🎷🪊🎺🎷🪊🎺🎷🪊🎺🎷🪊🎺🎷
An enormous thank you to Wellington’s So-Called Radical Left-Wing Emotional Support Brass Band for turning up in support of members from Toi o Taraika Arts Wellington and the Wellington Independent Arts Trust as we presented our petition to Council opposing cuts to the Creative Capital budget.

Ngā mihi to the all-star line-up: Lucien Johnson (Saxophone), John Rae (Drums), Oscar Laven (Trumpet), Daniel Yeabsley (Tuba) & Julian Kirgan (Trombone) 🙌🏼🤩 Featured on RadioNZ as “Jazz funeral band petitions against council budget cuts” 👏🏼

Thank you for your defiant jazz — we think they heard us 📣📣📣

Don't kill off funding for arts and culture, that's the message a jazz funeral band's delivered to Wellington City Council today, along with a petition asking it to rethink budget cuts. The council's looking at slashing more than $400,000 of funding that goes to arts and events grants and venue subs...

12/05/2026

Toi o Taraika Arts Wellington is pleased to contribute to this important national conversation on the future of arts development in Aotearoa.

Thank you to The Big Idea for inviting perspectives from across the sector in response to Creative New Zealand’s new 15-year strategy, Tū Mai Rā, Toi Aotearoa.

We’re proud to see reflections from our Co-Chairs, Kirsten Mason and Lucy-Margaux Marinkovich, included alongside many thoughtful voices from across the motu.

Read the article here: https://www.thebigidea.co.nz/stories/leaders-artists-and-critics-on-cnzs-new-15-year-strategy

26/04/2026

Together, Toi o Taraika Arts Wellington and Wellington Independent Arts Trust are calling for action to protect the Wellington City Council’s Creative Capital budget:

The arts are not a luxury. They are part of how a city works. Part of our essential civic infrastructure.

They employ artists, technicians, educators, designers.
They support local businesses.
They shape who we are.

Cutting funding cuts all of that.

If you care about Wellington’s future, stand with us.
Sign the petition — https://www.artswellington.org.nz/petition-creative-capital-budget

13/04/2026

Toi o Taraika Arts Wellington is pleased to offer Mental Health First Response training for eight TOTAW members, developed by CoLiberate and delivered by Bop Murdoch and Joana Simmons independently. The one day course will take place on 15th May 2026. This opportunity has been made available by generous support from the Asmuss Foundation and will enable Arts Wellington to support our collective wellbeing and strengthen our capacity to care for one another across creative workplaces.

This practical, one-day training is suitable for artists, producers, administrators, technicians, and leaders alike, offering real-world tools you can use immediately in rehearsal rooms, offices, classrooms, and performance spaces.

We encourage you to visit our website for full details and to apply.
https://www.artswellington.org.nz/opportunities

19/02/2026

We are so thankful to receive a donation from the Asmuss Foundation.

The Foundation was established by Asmuss Steel & Flow Control to continue their commitment to create a stronger New Zealand by helping their customers, communities and people succeed.

Last Friday we had the pleasure of meeting some of the team and take them on a special tour of Te Matapihi which opens next month.

We look forward to sharing with our members how we will make use of their kind contribution to our kaupapa this year.

08/10/2025

Creativity Belongs Here… in Wellington! 🌿✨

Arts, culture, and creativity are part of what makes our city hum. They bring people together, celebrate our diversity, and spark the ideas and connections that make Wellington such a vibrant place to live.

Explore free resources at creativitybelongshere.co.nz — find tips on how to ask your local candidates about their stance on the arts, access downloadable assets to share in your community, and discover ways to show that creativity truly belongs here. 🎭💡

Creativity Belongs Here is being led by Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi and Creative Waikato, with the support of Creative New Zealand.

📸: Cuba D**a

26/09/2025

Arts, culture and creativity are part of what makes this place feel like home. They bring people together, celebrate our diversity, and create moments of connection we carry with us over generations. From festivals in the park to local theatre, kapa haka, bands, craft markets or community murals, creativity is how we discover who we are and share who we are together.

This election is a chance to remember that the things that make our towns and cities vibrant, welcoming are directly related to the choices we make in an election.

Voting closes at 12 noon 11 October 2025.

01/09/2025

Wellington creatives!

Our next forum offers you the chance to meet the candidates vying to be elected the next Mayor of Te Whanganui a Tara.

Join us in asking Rob Goulden, Andrew Little, Ray Chung, Joan Shi, Karl Tiefenbacher, Alex Baker and Diane Calvert, who has the strongest vision for a thriving arts capital?

When: Monday 15 September 5.30pm - 6.30pm
Where: Te Whaea—National Dance & Drama Centre

Robust debate followed by informal discussion complete with drinks and nibbles.

RSVP here by Tuesday 9 September - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9aTGZ_vHoJwTDHJR92GtW5dRi_vkO-eiRDXSeSY7xnvIbsw/viewform

And if you haven't enrolled to vote you still can! Click the link below to have your say.

https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/elections/2025-elections/information-for-voters/how-to-enrol

Everything you need to know to get enrolled to vote.

11/07/2025

Join us for our next in person forum, which will help you to understand and reduce the environmental impacts of touring theatre, including emissions, waste and environmentally harmful practices.

With guests Hannah Smith and Ralph McCubbin Howell from Trick of the Light Theatre, Ali Kirkpatrick from FillGood and Marcus McShane from The Green Green Room.

When: Wednesday 23 July 12pm - 1.30pm

Where: Lumen Bar, BATS Theatre

Please RSVP here
https://forms.gle/BRJj2798AMQ5iCMF9

📸 Hannah Smith, Trick of the Light Theatre Photo by Ralph McCubbin Howell

24/03/2025

NW Group and Venues Wellington are offering an exciting opportunity for event professionals wanting to know more about audio, visual and lighting for their events. While the sessions will have a focus on business events, anyone wanting to widen their AV knowledge is welcome to attend.

Session 1 is at capacity, but there are three other options in April. Please see more information and how to RSVP below.