Celebrating Creative Community Activators

There’s a special kind of energy that is generated when a creative project is released into the world. It is one filled with hope, a desire to bring joy to an audience or its participants. When that endeavour requires a collaborative effort to bring it to fruition, oftentimes away from applause and accolades, we find selfless individuals with a community-first focus contributing in meaningful ways.

Creativity thrives in relationships, shared experiences, and mutual support. And across the Waikato region, creative community activators with a passion for the arts are vital to the process of creating, sometimes working with little recognition but always providing enormous value. They support artists to turn their visions and dreams into reality, and perhaps most importantly, personal connections into lasting cultural change.

Their work ranges from organising workshops and exhibitions to encouraging emerging artists and championing creative expression through participation. Many of these activators wear multiple hats as artist, volunteer, mentor, curator, and likely do so with limited resources, driven by passion and community spirit. The contributions they make help to foster talent both young and old, revive unused spaces, and create platforms and content where diverse voices can be seen and heard.

“It’s about making space for everyone’s stories” Jessica Paton – Musician, artist, educator, advocate

In this upcoming series, and as the next step in our ongoing celebration of the Creativity Lives in Waikato campaign, we are talking to individuals from across the region who embody the shared values of community and artistic expression for creative work to be explored and presented.

The contribution made by these individuals matters and we want to recognise that. The arts help build empathy, understanding, and pride in place. When community activators encourage creative participation, they empower people to tell their own stories, celebrate their heritage, and imagine new possibilities. Through their work behind the scenes, they help ensure that the arts remain accessible, inclusive, and normalised as a part of everyday life.

A common thread we’ve discovered during our conversations with these activators is a deep understanding that creativity thrives when it’s shared. Much of their work, such as admin tasks, venue bookings, policy writing, listening, often goes unseen, but its impact is undeniable. These efforts help create environments where people of all ages and backgrounds can engage with art, sometimes for the first time. When communities are supported to make, share, and celebrate their creativity, everyone benefits.

“Art is where our identity sits” Ashleigh McCormack – Manager, The Plaza Theatre

Our interviews are ongoing and we are actively looking at delivering more stories featuring the local Waikato creative community. If you know someone who would be an excellent candidate to include in this initiative, contact hello@creativewaikato.co.nz or more information.