The Art for Everyone programme launched in November 2020, as a Covid-19 response with the goal of increasing individual and community wellbeing. Research shows that the mere act of viewing art reduces stress and reduces blood pressure. By activating unused or unloved spaces, we create much needed exhibition space for artists and make art available to everyone.
We approached spaces we thought needed some creative love. We negotiated contracts with the business owner, undertook workplace assessments, compiled individual health & safety plans, negotiated artist terms and established a variety of corporate and hospitality settings. The Creative Kāpiti Gallery inside Kiwibank Paraparaumu provides the largest space and has enabled collaborations with arts groups such as the NZ Institute of Professional Photographers, Māoriland Toi Matarau Gallery, Tutere Collaborative, and Te Ara Korowai. Events such as NZ Music Month, the Matariki Lighting the Beacons Festival and International Women’s Day have been commemorated in this space. Thanks to the generosity of artists, we raised over $1,000 for the Kāpiti Women’s Centre in 2021.
Programme at a glance:
‘Exhibiting artists have acquired their mātauranga Māori knowledge over many years. For many, this will be a first, exhibiting in Paraparaumu’ said Maakarita Paku, Kaitiaki Toi of Māoriland Toi Matarau Gallery.
‘It was heartbreaking not being able to show my work in London and to now have this opportunity to see it exhibited in Paraparaumu is a cathartic experience’ said Hamish MaCaulay. Some of Hamish’s artworks in this exhibition were subsequently purchased by Te Papa Tongarewa for the national art collection.
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Haere mai and welcome to Creative Kāpiti – Advancing Skills & Participation across the Creative Industries on the New Zealand’s Kāpiti Coast.