Nurturing Creative Community Spaces

Community arts centres serve as important hubs for creativity and connection, and can be found throughout the Waikato region.

In venues such as the Old School Arts Centre in Raglan, The Plaza in Putaruru, and the aptly named Future Te Aroha, dedicated teams of administrators not only support, but deeply believe in, the transformative potential of creative spaces for personal and collective wellbeing.

Max King is the Accounts Administrator at the Old School Arts Centre and describes the location as a place “of play and courage.” The Old School hosts monthly concerts, film screenings, markets, and provides venue space for everything from art exhibitions to breathwork classes. Onsite, the Clay Shed, a volunteer-run pottery space, allows people of all skill levels to create and exhibit their work. “It’s thrilling to see what people are producing,” Max says. “I walk in after the kiln’s been opened and it’s like unwrapping a gift.”

With decades of personal involvement in events run and hosted by the Old School, Max is enthusiastic about what these spaces offer.

“Creativity can sometimes be a lonely life. But a community arts hub brings people together. It lets them shine in front of their own community.”

Importantly, Max sees creativity as both playful and profound.

“It’s about expressing yourself, your journey, your ideas, and having the courage to share that with others. Art can challenge thinking and bring complex ideas into accessible light.”

Ashleigh McCormack stepped into her role of managing The Plaza in Putaruru from a background in administration and hospitality. “I hadn’t dealt with the creative arts in the past,” she explains, “but working here, I’ve seen just how much connection and joy it brings.” The Plaza hosts everything from boxing nights to tribute concerts, school kapa haka to the South Waikato Country Music Awards and receives invaluable governance support from the South Waikato Arts Trust.

For Ashleigh, creativity is more than performance, it’s expression.

“It’s about showing a part of yourself that doesn’t come out in everyday life.”

She recalls the unfiltered joy of performing in a childhood school play, and now sees that same light in the children and families who attend the Plaza for free movie events, supported by local businesses.

“It’s a chance for people to reset and reconnect, especially in times like these, when the cost of living pushes enjoyment to the bottom of the list.”

The Future Te Aroha Community Centre offers a vibrant example of how art and connection can transform not only individuals but entire generations. Charlotte Putt, who manages much of the centre’s administration, is a strong advocate for the arts.

“Creative pursuits serve you throughout life,” she says.

“They go beyond physical limitations. You can keep creating even when you can no longer run or jump. They sustain your spirit.”

One of Charlotte’s fondest moments is seeing adults gather for a newly formed craft group.

“It’s a lovely social environment. Just people talking, laughing, creating—it brings a different kind of health benefit.”

She describes creativity as “an expression of energy, of the soul,” and values the subjectivity that makes each piece of art deeply personal.

Tazmin Sawyer, who grew up coming to Future Te Aroha as a child, is now a mentor for young performers. “Dance and acting gave me confidence. I want to help kids find that same feeling.” She believes strongly in the importance of creative spaces for children who don’t find their place in sports or academics.

“This becomes another home, a place where you’re accepted for who you are. That’s powerful.”

For Tazmin, creativity keeps the imagination alive.

“As we get older, we lose that childlike wonder. But creativity, whether it’s dance, theatre, or even just being around it, helps you hold on to that spark.”

Lynne Renwick, a lifelong theatre practitioner, has helped establish youth theatres in both the UK and New Zealand. She believes her motivation is rooted in gratitude. “Somebody did it for me when I was a child. I was surrounded by creativity. I want to pass that gift on.” Her vision for Future Te Aroha is intergenerational and she sees it happening in real time with young people who grew up performing there now bringing their own children back.

“It weaves our community together in a way that nothing else quite does.”

Lynne sees creativity as fundamental to human identity.

“It’s in our essence…all of it comes from a place of shaping and making something out of nothing.”

She also recognises a critical age where creativity can falter. “Around 13 or 14, it starts to disappear. But if you keep nurturing it, creativity grows. The more you use it, the more it becomes part of you.”

Together, these five creative community advocates illustrate a collective truth: creativity is not just about making art, it’s about making meaning, memories, and room for everyone. Whether it’s a child discovering their voice, an adult returning to a forgotten hobby, or a community celebrating its diverse cultures, creative spaces offer something increasingly rare. A chance to belong.

This article is part of a series of stories connected with our Creativity Lives in Waikato project. We know that Waikato thrives with diverse and transformative creative activity, so we are helping to highlight some of the creativity that lives in our region. Check out this growing collection of stories featuring the local Waikato creative community.