Creative Learning at the Festival

Creative Learning will return in 2026 alongside the announcement of the Festival’s full lineup of events in October/November.

Our education programming for schools and students aims to reach tamariki and adult learners throughout the motu, making the arts accessible and fostering a desire to learn, appreciate and participate.

Both special matinees and public performances are made available exclusively to schools and teachers in Tāmaki Makaurau, many with free ticketing allocations. We also work with artists and artistic companies to organise pre/post-show talks, dress rehearsal and outreach/workshop opportunities, and education packs for curriculum.

In 2025 the Festival was once again able to offer free tickets for school groups to six events, school ticket pricing for a further three events, and a range of special education programmes, including:

• Masterclass opportunities for dance and theatre students as well as professionals to learn from the creative and performing teams behind Belle – A Performance of Air, Lula Washington Dance Theatre and A Streetcar Named Desire.
• The return of the Student Ambassador Programme for students (years 11–13) to gain hands-on experience in festival management, focusing on Kaihautū Māori, social media, artist liaison, technical production and more.
• The introduction of the Young Critics Programme for students (years 11–13) to learn to critique shows with workshops and mentorship from professional arts critics.
• Kaiako engagement for teachers to gain behind-the-scenes access to a tech rehearsal and participate in a creative kōrero with our Artistic Director Bernie Haldane, and Kaihautū Māori Ataahua Papa, about bringing the arts into the classroom.
• An ‘Activity Passport’ designed for tamariki (years 3–11) to collect stamps and navigate their way around Whānau Day events in Te Komititanga, along Queen Street and Aotea Square.

Are you an individual or organisation interested in becoming a partner with the Festival and its Creative Learning initiative? To help us continue to deliver a world-class education programme, contact vanessa.morgan@aaf.co.nz

We are always striving to do more, and accept donations towards Creative Learning.

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:

Main image: a schools performance of Bee Story in Aotea Square, part of Creative Learning 2023. Image by Jinki Cambronero.