Our Kaupapa

Fair access to creative wellbeing’s our thing.  

Year-round, a hive of creativity can be found coming from our online spaces and studios. Nestled in the Philipstown Community Hub, there is everything from small groups trying new things to artists with a distinct practice wanting company, all the while connecting over creativity and a shared experience of mental distress.  

Together, we make things happen: exhibitions, collaborations, art adventures, residencies and workshops with guest artists. We are often hatching plans with our friends at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, Christchurch City Libraries, Canterbury Museum and Rekindle.  

Levelling the playing field is what we’re geared up to do. We want to provide equitable access to creative well-being for our communities of focus: Māori, Pacific peoples, the Muslim community and rainbow youth. By teaming up with Pegasus Health, Canterbury District Health Board, Kakakura Health Services, 298 Youth Health, Purapura Whetu and other mental health services we can reach those who need it most.  

We got started in 2015, after the Christchurch earthquakes. We saw a gap – and stepped in to fill it. We’re in it for the long haul because we think it’s time to re-imagine our mental health system where access to creativity is valued as essential.