Winning Arts Access Aotearoa's creative spaces award has given the team at Dunedin's Artsenta a boost, director Jill Thomson says.
''We're really delighted. Our work is not often nationally acknowledged so it was great to go to Wellington and have our moment in the limelight.''
Artsenta is a studio space where people who use mental health services can go to be creative.
It had been running for nearly 30 years so it was really nice to get the acknowledgement of what it did, Thomson said.
''It was set up with a clear vision and we have kept to that.''
The service was supported by the Southern District Health Board, which continued to help fund it.
''It seems to acknowledge the link between creativity and good health.''
Often people using such services needed a ''hand up'' to do their chosen creative endeavour, whether it was art, craft or music, she said.
It also provided a social outlet for people who might have become quite isolated.
The award's judges said they were impressed with the centre's outreach to rural communities and involvement with a local justice rehabilitation programme.
''Artsenta's passionate commitment to artists and the public is clear.''
