We believe everyone should have access to extraordinary arts.
Our award-winning1 Access & Inclusion initiative will return in 2025 alongside the announcement of the Festival’s full lineup of events in October/November.
It’s vital to us that everyone has the opportunity to engage with the arts. We provide low-cost tickets to members of our d/Deaf and disabled communities. And, the ticket for their companion is provided for FREE.
Each year we work with organisations to identify the events that will translate best into each community, and then customise select performances both on and off the stage. This includes:
 | New Zealand Sign Language interpreted performances. |
 | Audio described performances (English and te reo Māori). |
 | Touch tours, sensory tours. |
 | Relaxed performances (for those with sensory conditions). |
 | Wheelchair access (all venues except Undergrand locations). |
 | Hearing Loop events. |
 | Very Visual performances. |
 | Performances suitable for Blind & Low Vision audiences. |
 | And a range of resources including braille song sheets and large print materials in English and te reo Māori. |
1 Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival received the Arts Access Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award in 2018.
Accessibility Highlights
Alongside increased accessibility across the Festival lineup, the 2024 Festival featured three works by disabled artists and two Access-led events:
Spark LIVE by the Glass Ceiling Arts Collective at the Concert Chamber, Town Hall – a multi-sensory show to cater for a profound and multiple learning disability (PMLD) audience.
AIGA by Touch Compass at Te Pou Theatre – a groundbreaking and emotional disability-led, Pasifika-led work.
ILL-Abilities: No Excuses, No Limits – an international crew of differently-abled dancers shared their messages of motivation and positive thinking at a workshop, and also gave a free performance in Aotea Square.
World Down Syndrome Day in Aotea Square – a public world Access event, working in collaboration with Auckland Down Syndrome Association, Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust and UpsideDowns.
Access & Inclusion Kōrero in the Spiegeltent – drawing panellists from Arts Access Aotearoa, Glass Ceiling Collective and AIGA, who explored the important factors in developing and presenting works led by the disabled sector.
Support Access & Inclusion
Are you an individual or organisation interested in becoming a partner with the Festival and its award-winning Access & Inclusion initiative? To find out more about how to support this mahi, contact vanessa.morgan@aaf.co.nz
We are always striving to do more, and accept donations towards Access & Inclusion.
There are simple ways to assist with direct, tangible results – read more about the ways your support makes it happen, or make a donation today in just a few clicks:
