Art-East

Art-East was established in 2014 with the vision of creating a safe place of support for people who have or are struggling with alcohol or drug issues. Since then, Art-East has grown from strength to strength. Some highlights have been being honored with the Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Holdsworth Creative Space Award in 2021 and receiving funding from Manatu Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s Creative Spaces Initiative for an expansion of our services.

We regularly go on field trips where we visit local galleries and attractions to widen and inspire members’ perspectives on life. This has led to involvement in collaborative art exhibitions, community projects and meeting with established Christchurch artists to learn new creative processes.

At Art East, art and creativity are used as vehicles to process, find healing, connection and a sense of belonging. The sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from Art-East members trying something creative and new, whether that be experimenting with a new artistic medium, supporting each other through difficult times or extending themselves to connect with more community activities has been life changing for many of our people.

Art-East partners with many community agencies, including Pathway Trust, He Waka Tapu The Salvation Army Bridge Programme, Aviva, Te Kupenga O Aranui alternative education school & the Salisbury Street Foundation