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:

NZSL-Interpreted.pngNew Zealand Sign Language interpreted performances.
Audio-Described.pngAudio described performances (English and te reo Māori).
Touch-Tour.pngTouch tours, sensory tours.
Relaxed-Performance.pngRelaxed performances (for those with sensory conditions).
Wheelchair-Accessible.pngWheelchair access (all venues except Undergrand locations).
Hearing-Loop.pngHearing Loop events.
Very-Visual-Show.pngVery Visual performances.
Blind-Low-Vision.pngPerformances suitable for Blind & Low Vision audiences.
Braille.pngAnd 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:

Access - Spark AAF2024.jpg
Image by John Rata.

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.

Access - AIGA AAF2024.jpg
Image by Jinki Cambronero.

AIGA by Touch Compass at Te Pou Theatre – a groundbreaking and emotional disability-led, Pasifika-led work.

Access - Ill-Abilities AAF2024.jpg
Image by Jinki Cambronero.

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.

Access - Picnic AAF2024.jpg
Image by John Rata.

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 - Talk AAF2024.jpg
Image by John Rata.

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

Access - NZSL AAF2024.jpg
NZSL Interpreter Kelly Hodgins (Platform Interpreting NZ) on stage at Hear Me Roar!, Auckland Town Hall, 2024. Image by Andi Crown.

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:

We welcome your accessibility feedback

We are committed to improving accessibility. Your feedback helps us create a more accessible festival for everyone. If you have suggestions or insights, we would love to hear from you.

Please email us at access@aaf.co.nz

Main image: Spark LIVE, Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, 2024. Image by John Rata.

Cart

You will be taken directly to Ticketmaster’s site for payment processing

Shortlist