A Commitment to Supporting Waiheke’s Creative Community

Waiheke Island has long been a haven for a vibrant community of artists and creatives.  Wayfind Creative on Waiheke provides an opportunity to cultivate this talent by providing the tools, resources, and connections needed to foster creative and professional success. Participants will gain practical skills in essential areas such as finance, marketing, project management, funding & sponsorship, juggling the gig economy, marketing & social media, while also connecting with a supportive network of like-minded creatives.

“This programme reflects our commitment to helping creatives develop thriving, sustainable careers by providing them with the skills, confidence and fresh perspectives that can open up new possibilities for their creative practice”, says Amy Saunders, Director of DEPOT.   

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with the Waiheke Community Art Gallery to bring this opportunity to the talented creatives of Waiheke.”

Programme Highlights

• In-person workshops: Facilitated sessions on Waiheke Island focusing on vision-setting, and creative strategies.
• Online learning modules: Flexible, self-paced modules tailored to individual business needs, covering areas such as project planning, marketing, funding and sponsorship.
• Personalised mentorship: One-on-one guidance from experienced creative entrepreneurs to refine goals and develop actionable plans.
• Community connections: Opportunities to connect with a vibrant and supportive creative network on Waiheke Island.

As a former Wayfind participant remarked: “The programme showed me it's possible to monetise my creativity and taught me pragmatic ways to set up my creative practice. The course helped me orientate myself with a clear vision, mission, and goals so that I now understand what I want to achieve and the steps I need to take”.

Accessible and Affordable

Thanks to funding from Lottery Community Fund and Foundation North along with the support of both organisations, the programme is offered at a subsidised rate of $450, ensuring local creatives have access to this valuable resource.

“This initiative is about supporting Waiheke as a creative economy and destination. The programme aligns with our strategic priority to build creative sector alignment and capability” says Fiona Blanchard, Director of Waiheke Community Art Gallery.

“By providing access to professional development and mentorship, we’re helping our local creatives build sustainable careers while strengthening the creative fabric of our island.”

Join Us

The programme starts on 14 February 2025.  Registrations are now open, and spaces are limited. If you’re ready to elevate your creative career, don’t miss this opportunity.  Whether you’re starting a new creative business or growing an existing one, Wayfind Creative provides the tools, insights, and networks you need to succeed.

For more information or to register, visit https://depot.org.nz/wayfind-creative/

or email DEPOT on wfc@wayfindcreative.co.nz

Let’s come together to champion and nurture the creativity that defines Waiheke Island, fostering growth, connection and a thriving artistic community.