Referrals

Please note we are unable to process new referrals until February 2025. Contact us in February 2025 if you are interested to find out about capacity.

 

We welcome contact about people who would benefit from being part of our creative community.  There are limited places due to our current premises and funding. We therefore prioritise people with the greatest needs and best fit.

Criteria

Lived experience of mental distress with ongoing impact (we don’t require a diagnosis)

Experience making art, and a desire to develop this

Readiness and independence to participate in our shared spaces regularly  

Barriers to accessing creativity in other places

Communities of Focus

Our commitment to equitable access and funding received for specific groups means we give priority to:

Māori

Pacific people

Muslim community

Rainbow LGBTQI+ community

Youth

Residents of Inner-city East (Woolston, Linwood, Phillipstown, Waltham)

Our relationship with referrers helps us make sure our resources are used well for maximum impact. You can help us by giving us full information about a person’s needs and situation, and by supporting them to participate.  Many new people require help in order to settle and feel at home.  This could include help with transport, coming with them to the first session, and checking in with them after they start.

Referral Process

1
Expression of Interest
Please contact us on our expression of interest form by clicking here.
2
We'll Call You
We’ll call you first to discuss the referral, the person’s needs, and how you will support them to participate.
3
Review
After this, we’ll decide whether we can proceed with the referral.  This depends on the best fit and current space in our studio sessions.
4
Invitation
If we can go ahead with the referral, we’ll invite you and the new person to come in for a welcome meeting to discuss what we offer and complete the registration form.
5
Welcome
We talk about the new person’s needs, their art making, what they’d like to get out of joining, and what will make them comfortable in our studios.