For the past 20 years, South Dunedin’s Studio2 has provided a "vibrant and inclusive" space for people with learning disabilities and members of the neuro-diverse community to explore and expand their art practice.
Thanks to the creative arts and recovery employment grant it received from the Manatū Taonga Ministry of Culture and Heritage in 2021, the studio managed to open five days a week and greatly expanded its number of artists and art facilitators over the past three years.
However, the grant ended in January, leaving Studio2 seeking support to continue its classes.
"Without Studio2, people will not be able to see how creative we are and how awesome things can be," artist Julia Young said.
To help raise funds, Studio2 launched its Boosted campaign yesterday.
Studio2 art facilitator Georgina Young said Boosted was a crowd-funding platform used by New Zealand artists and organisations to get innovative arts events and programmes off the ground.
The goal is to raise $30,000 by the end of the month.
Ms Young encouraged members of the public to visit the studio’s profile on the Boosted website to learn more about the studio’s artists.
"It will also give you the chance to support the mahi of one of Aotearoa’s great little underfunded creative spaces."
The studio was focused on fostering an environment that encouraged creativity, she said.
"Our studio has a roll of over 80 artists who come together with qualified art facilitators to inspire each other and contribute to our community through the joy of art."
The studio ran exhibitions, workshops and collaborative projects, showcasing the "depth and richness of disabled art".
"We are committed to keeping Studio2 and the Margaret Freeman Gallery open, thriving and enhancing the life quality of everyone who steps into the studio or who shares in the work we do."
Coinciding with the Boosted Campaign was the studio’s "Space Invaders" show — a "cosmic collection" of drawings, paintings, and sculptures by its "sci-fi-inspired" artists.
Ms Young said to keep an eye out for the artists’ large-scale prints being shown on lower Stuart St in collaboration with Ara Toi, the creative partnerships team at the Dunedin City Council.
The studio was working on a mural for the new South Dunedin library building site hoardings, in collaboration with Dream South D and the South Dunedin Street Art Trail.
It also planned to work with Unesco City of Literature South Dunedin poet laureate Jenny Powell, producing a book of poems written by the older South Dunedin community, which would be illustrated and interpreted by Studio2 artists.
"We are a community hub always open to new and diverse opportunities.
"Everything we do is made possible with the generous support of our wonderful community funders, inspired artists and skilled staff."
