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Jade Tang-Taylor: 10 Years of CreativeMornings Auckland

In celebration of our tenth birthday this month, chapter Founder and October speaker, Jade Tang Taylor, shared some of her favourite moments and insights from a decade of CreativeMornings in Tāmaki Makaurau.

What is a highlight or memorable moment from CreativeMornings?

SOOOO many! Let’s go with three…

1. First CreativeMornings/AKL event I ever hosted (Sep 2011) launched at Aotea Centre with original co-host Elise Sterback, and speakers; Zoe Ikin, Sam Trustum and Clem Devine, with rainbow decorated stairs and also Jacinda Ardern in attendance (who happened to be a regular CM/AKL attendee before she became Prime Minister).

2. The last CreativeMornings/AKL event I ever hosted (Nov 2016) at MOTAT, with co-host, colleague, and friend Kaan Hiini and speaker; Joyce Campbell. Admittedly, it was a bittersweet emotional experience as I was pregnant and announced to the community I would be taking a step back to make room for the new “creative project” in my life, and to welcome new energy to lead the CreativeMornings/AKL community into the future!

CreativeMornings community hands up, with Kaan & Jade on stage!

And 3) The Global CreativeMornings Summit (Aug 2016) in Austin Texas, USA, which I managed to sneak in just before I officially stepped back from the hosting responsibilities. It was an incredible experience to connect with a global like-minded community of generous creatives and chapter hosts from all over the world! I also had an opportunity to take Tina Roth Eisenberg (Founder of CreativeMornings) out for lunch in Brooklyn, New York to pick her brains on all things creative, community, business and #mumlife.

CreativeMornings Summit 2016 video

One of your favourite takeaways from CreativeMornings?

Food & Beverage takeaways: Midnight Baker Toast, Coffee Supreme & Antipodes Water, all who have been avid supporters of CreativeMornings over the years! TY 🙏

Speaker takeaways: This quote “Where does creative freedom come from?” by Kyra Clarke, beautifully illustrated by recent speaker Kate Hursthouse, which still resonates with me today and sits on a shelf in my home office as a daily reminder.

As part of a postcard/poster series created for CreativeMornings 4th birthday

One of your own highlights in the past 10 years?

Again, SOOOOO many creative highlights… Many of which I’ll share in my upcoming talk.

That said, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have been immersed in the creative community, especially through the lens of CreativeMornings. However, my biggest and most life-changing “creative project” to date would be my feisty, independent lil human who is now four years old. And no doubt, that “project” will keep changing and challenging me creatively in a multitude of ways ;)

Lil Phoenix attending her first CreativeMornings talk

What has changed in Auckland’s (or NZ’s) creative sector in the past 10 (or thereabout) years?

Hmmm such an interesting question… Admittedly, I feel like I’ve unintentionally moved away from the creative, design and arts sector a little and more recently leaned into a more strategic design practice in the social, public and community sector.

Upon reflection, from my previous roles working at a large Philanthropic organisation… There's a sense that less funding is available for the creative/arts sector, and more funding for the social sector. And of course more recently, these financial challenges are exacerbated in times of COVID-19 pandemic in the arts, theatre, events production and wider creative industry.

However, I feel that there’s a real need to bring those two sectors closer together in the future. If we’re ever to solve some of these complex “wicked” problems, we’re going to need new creative ways of working, of doing, and of being.

One thing you’d like to see in the next 10 years?

(Refer to Question 4, and please come join us at the next CreativeMornings/AKL talk!)

You can join Jade at CreativeMornings Auckland ONLINE, Friday 29 October from 7.50pm. Registration is open here: https://creativemornings.com/talks/jade-tang-taylor 💖

#creativemornings #creativeauckland

“Feeling at home in your city is about feeling like your city is designed with you in mind.” Last month we were joined by Simone Speet, Wayfinding designer at Maynard Design. Simone shared her learnings, what wayfinding is and how it works, the processes she goes through and her idea of home. View the recording of Simone’s talk and start thinking about the places we live and act a little differently: https://creativemornings.com/talks/simone-speet/ Read this beautiful summary and insights from Simone-Ellen on purposeful work: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/purposeful-work-simone-ellen-keller-/ Follow along with Simone’s journey at Maynard on their instagram: @maynarddesign

CreativeMornings with Ahi Karunaharan Friday 29th November, 8:00am - 9:30am Q Theatre

Ahi Karunaharan is an actor, writer and director, with a focus on creating stories that often go untold and amplifying voices that we don’t always hear. “I’m most excited by creatives and practitioners looking to break boxes that they are put into and collaborate with those who don’t get the centre stage often.”

Ahi is a graduate of Victoria University of Wellington and Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. The winner of the 2018 Bruce Mason Award, Ahi’s writing credits include The Mourning After, Anchorite, The Adventures of Rama, Swabhoomi: Borrowed Earth and Tea which premiered at the Auckland Arts Festival 2018 winning best Overall Production at the Auckland Theatre Awards.

Ahi’s directing credits include Thali for Auckland Fringe Festival, Rudali-The Mourner and Swabhoomi: Borrowed Earth for Prayas Theatre, Should Woulda Coulda for the Here and Now Youth Festival, Northern Glow, First Word Problems and Smoky Quartz Does Turkish for Basement Theatre, A Fine Balance for Auckland Theatre Company, Kollywood Extra for Satellites and Light Vs Dark for for Auckland Live.

“Having been based in Auckland for the last 9 years and watching our creative sector evolve, I’ve been actively growing our South Asian creative community and have learnt the importance of creating our own stories and re-writing our narratives.”

Ahi’s newest work, My Heart Goes Thadak Thadak, is a new major commission by Silo Theatre taking place on the Q Theatre - Rangatira stage from 21 November - 14 December.

Come and join Ahi on the set of My Heart Goes Thadak Thadak at Q Theatre for the last CreativeMornings/Auckland event of 2019. Ahi will be exploring his process of creation while speaking to our global theme, LOST.

CreativeMornings with Adrienne Wong Friday 27th September, 8:00am - 9:30am Air New Zealand

"Your muse comes from the deepest parts of your imagination and guides you to new ideas."

Primarily a painter, Adrienne Wong is intrigued by the juxtaposition of nature and the urban environment and our relationship within it. Locations hold memories and meaning. In her monochromatic paintings and drawings, these locations are devoid of the usual visual cues, suggesting memory and movement within fields of spatial ambiguity.

Adrienne also is a graphic designer and the Executive Director of an in-house communications and brand department. She has an advertising background as an art director and studied visual arts at the University of the Arts London. Her art has been selected for international exhibitions including The Hunting Art Prize, The Lawndale Big Show, and The Celeste Art Prize UK. Her most recent exhibition was a collaboration with Mark Harvey and Artspace Aotearoa at Starkwhite Gallery that acknowledged her family history and early Chinese community on Karangahape Rd, Auckland.

Come and join Adrienne on the 27th of September as she explores the theme MUSE, and the powerful influence of her surroundings.

CreativeMornings with Beth Hill Friday 30th August, 8:00am - 9:30am Ockham Collective

The theme for CreativeMornings August is JUSTICE and joining us to speak is Beth Hill, the Programme Leader of Redemption Arts & Education Services at Northland Region Corrections Facility.

To us, creativity is all about self expression, it is a human right. To us, one of the most important places for creativity is in the justice system of Aotearoa.

Beth Hill is originally from the UK, she is the mother of two sons and winner of the 2018 Arts Access Aotearoa Accolade award. Beth has been making art about otherness, radical empathy and her search to find somewhere she fits in for most of her life.

Six years ago, Beth found herself working inside the walls of NRCF where she surprisingly stopped feeling so much of a square peg! Beth and her team offer access to creative spaces and activities that support the cohort on site to develop self esteem, new ways of communicating, soft skills and a passion for the arts.

Facilitating and developing opportunities for the men on site at NRCF has changed her creative pathway and although she still makes work she now expands her creativity advocating for her prison artists and championing the transformative power of the arts in Corrections.

CreativeMornings with Russell Pickering Friday 26th July, 8.00am - 9.30am Studio One Toi Tū

Russell is one of New Zealand’s leading specialists in effective communication, business storytelling and presentation technique. Prior to founding The Pickering Group, Russell ran Auckland based communication skills consultancy SpeakEasy and established himself as an expert trainer, facilitator and coach in the field of business communication skills development. He has helped thousands of people, in some of New Zealand and Australia’s most visible organisations, become more confident and compelling communicators.

Russell thrives in the dynamic intersection of the arts and commerce. Originally training as a professional actor and director, Russell won a Bob Hope Scholarship to study for his Master of Fine Arts in Acting at Meadows School of the Arts (SMU) in the United States. As an actor he has appeared in commercial television, feature film, and on regional theatre stages throughout the US and NZ.

More recently, Russell completed his MBA as part of Auckland University’s NZ Executive programme.

CreativeMornings with Lee Tamahori Friday 28th June, 8.00am - 9.30am CHAIRS™

Lee Tamahori has spent his life creating a world of wonder. The art of directing relies on a combination of life experience and imagination to navigate the day to day operations on set. Something Lee says you can’t be prepared enough for.

Wellington born and raised, Lee’s professional journey started as a boom mic operator. Lee worked his way up the ranks, assisting alongside director Geoff Murphy in the early 80’s. During his run of award-winning commercials and feature films, Lee co-founded Flying Fish production company, as well as keeping a keen eye out for new actors and talent. His feature film debut, Once Were Warriors, cast a spotlight on topics that had never been previously seen on the big screen in a New Zealand context. To the New Zealand film going public, this sparked a new age of storytelling and gave space to reflect on our lives. This film also kickstarted Lee’s voyage through Hollywood blockbusters.

Lee’s life, both personally and professionally, is shaped by contribution. He is fueled by curiosity and wonder and his work speaks to this. Now, having over 30 years experience in filmmaking, Lee will join us to reflect on his creative process and the roots from which new ideas and problem solving grow.

Come join us on the 28th of June as Lee explores the WONDER that generates new ideas, and how this is translated into everyday life.

CreativeMornings with Rau Hoskins Friday 31st May, 8.00am - 9.30am Studio One Toi Tū

The creative practice of this month’s speaker is shaped through deep reflection and turns our attention to the environment around us. What do we care about? What do we take for granted? Would we miss it if it disappeared? How do cross-cultural conversation in Aotearoa answer the question of what do we PRESERVE?

Rau Hoskins, Ngāti Hau, Ngāpuhi, BArch, MArch(Hons), Pae Matua Ngā Aho is a director of designTRIBE architects, Rau has over 25 years’ experience working with Māori community-based design projects and has for the past 20 years specialised in the design of Māori educational institutions in the wider Auckland area. He has worked extensively as an urban and cultural design consultant, as well as in iwi liaison capacities on a range of large public projects where he has co-developed the Te Aranga design principles with Tāmaki mana whenua.

Rau sits on the Ministerial Advisory Group to the Minister of Housing, is active in Māori housing advocacy and papakāinga design projects as well as sitting on the Auckland Council Urban Design, Public Arts Advisory and Heritage Advisory Panels. Rau teaches part-time at the Unitec Department of Architecture and has been active in researching both traditional and hybrid Māori dwelling construction techniques. He presented the 13-part TV series Whare Māori, which won the AFTA for best information programme at the 2012 Aotearoa Film and Television Awards.

CreativeMornings with Kolokesa Mahina-Tuai & Barbara Afitu Friday 26th April, 8.00am-9.30am Studio One Toi Tū

“We had the same eyes, with the same vision.”

This moment of collaboration between super rad humans, Kolokesa Mahina-Tuai and Barbara Afitu, gave birth to their creative community consultancy Lagi Maama. Honouring the voice of their Tongan and Samoan ancestors, Lagi Maama is the vehicle for Kesa and Barb to lead from the heart, as navigators, connectors, and champions of community. With a background in curatorship, arts advocacy and community engagement, and a passion for critiquing terminology, Kesa and Barb are bringing to CreativeMornings their gentle but provocative style of talanoa to deep dive into our theme, INCLUSIVE.

Things will be a little bit different this month – same time, same place, different format. Kesa and Barb intend to hold space for us to come together as a community, explore the power structures that lie in this month’s theme, and leave us feeling connected with a sense of belonging.

If your jam is learning and creating knowledge together, then come and be a part of the awesome!

CreativeMornings with Michael Lakeman Friday 29th March, 8.00am-9.30am Studio One Toi Tū

We reckon saving the planet is creativity at its finest and it is our honour to welcome actual live creative scientist genius type human, Michael Lakeman, to the CreativeMornings whānau!

Water is the main source of all life. It is the lifeblood element that makes up 60% of our bodies. Now that he is home from years in US Michael is committed to sharing his passion for water and the regenerative and renewable resources of nature so that Aotearoa can truly thrive. This is not science class, this is life lessons 101 - expect the unexpected, and be ready for some Real Talk about how creatives can join the evolution.

Michael has spent his entire professional career carving out a space where creativity, science and commerce meet. For over ten years he has been a central figure in global efforts to bring sustainable aviation biofuels to market. He has served numerous organisations as an advisor and consultant including chairing the Steering Committee of the US Department of Energy’s peer review of their entire $2B BioEnergy Technology portfolio. Michael is also deeply committed to training and education and was a founding director of the Algae Foundation, a non-profit focused on STEM outreach and education.

Academically, he was awarded a Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Washington, Seattle, and attained his Bachelor’s degree of Science in Biological Chemistry from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

CreativeMornings with Kristine Crabb Friday 1st March, 8.00am-9.30am The Basement Theatre

Kristine Crabb is a gentle powerhouse of creativity. She is led by her intuition and integrity, and her eponymous label, Miss Crabb, possesses a loyal fanbase that most creatives can only dream about.

For almost 15 years elegant and unique Miss Crabb pieces have been worn by women all over New Zealand and the world, with our prime minister Jacinda Ardern being a dedicated wearer. Kristine’s journey has been incredible and inspirational, beginning with Rip Shit and Bust in 2001 on K Road and growing into Miss Crabb on Ponsonby Road in 2004.

Kristine describes Miss Crabb as ‘much more than a fashion label, it’s an art project, a state of mind and a ‘culty’ family; I have had three children along the way which has added another dimension to things.’ This multiverse that Kristine inhabits grew another dimension when it was announced that on 31 March 2019 Miss Crabb would be closing its doors for the last time, taking the out-of-it creative force of Miss Crabb in a whole new direction.

Come hear about how you find SYMMETRY between creativity and commerce, motherhood and work, and get an insight into how to stay true to yourself as a creative.

CreativeMornings with Wayne Pick Friday 26th October, 8.00am-9.30am Studio One Toi Tū

There’s no two ways about it, Wayne Pick is an honest-to-goodness superstar. He is to the Executive Creative Director role what Richie McCaw is to the No.8 jersey. Wayne Pick is a standout, a champion, and has repped hard for NZ on the international stage. And he’s also a really good guy.

With over 25 years of global experience connecting some of the world’s biggest brands with their customers, Wayne has worked at leading agencies in the USA, UK, Singapore, South Africa, and New Zealand. He has won in excess of 100 international awards (OMG) and is a sought member of jury panels at ad awards and festivals.

This year Wayne made the move from ECD and CX champion at Colenso BBDO to setting up his own agency, &Pick. It is our absolute delight to have Wayne come and lay down some truths and connect with our community as this month’s CreativeMorningsAKL speaker. We are fans!

CreativeMornings with Kendal Collins Friday 31st August, 8.00am-9.30am Studio One Toi Tū

A community is a reflection of what we crave: belonging.

Belonging is the heart of human connection and this is what Kendal Collins lives, eats, sleeps and breathes. Along with her sisters, design guru Narelle, and the choreographic force-of-nature, Parris Goebal, Kendal co-founded and co-leads Sisters United.

Using creativity – the mediums of spoken word, dance and visual art – Sisters United is an organisation dedicated to helping young women discover their talents, build their confidence and find their voice. Parris’ Palace Dance Studio is a safe space for young women to start their own journey of self-discovery, combating the negative effects of bullying, low self-esteem, negative body image and cultural disconnection of young women in Auckland.

Kendal is of Samoan and English heritage and was a 2017 Vodafone Foundation World of Difference recipient.

CreativeMornings with Julia Waite Friday 20th July, 8.00am-9.30am Auckland Art Gallery

Julia Waite is a woman whose intention is to bring the beautiful work of New Zealand art into our everyday. She holds the role of Curator, New Zealand Art at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, where she has worked on a number of large-scale exhibitions including the 5th Auckland Triennial (2013) and Space to Dream: Recent Art from South America (2016), Freedom and Structure: Cubism and New Zealand Art 1930– 1960 (2015) and most recently she co-curated Gordon Walters: New Vision, which opens at Auckland Art Gallery in July 2018.

Julia has worked at National Gallery Singapore and The Substation, Singapore however her real passion is in exploring the development of modern art in New Zealand and global modernisms, and how this reflects the development of our country as a whole. She has a Masters in Art History and a Master in Museum Studies.

CreativeMornings with Bridget Taylor Friday 29th June, 8.00am-9.30am Studio One Toi Tū

This month’s speaker, creative powerhouse Bridget Taylor, is using her CRAFT to lead the way in the call to make the advertising industry in our country more diverse.

Co-owner and Executive Creative Director of Contagion, a full-service creative and marketing agency based in central Auckland, Bridget has been awarded at all the major shows globally - Cannes Gold, D&AD, One Show, Clio, Award, ADFEST best in Show and ADFEST Grand Lotus. She is also the only Māori female Executive Creative Director in the New Zealand advertising industry, and one of only three women in this position.

Bridget has enjoyed a stellar international career, as Deputy Creative Director of DDB Group between 2004 – 2009 then as Creative Director at BBDO Proximity Singapore, before returning to New Zealand. When home, she was one of the twenty New Zealand women selected to complete the 2011 global leadership course, Global Women.

When Bridget’s not creating marketing, she likes talking about it. She has just completed the fourth series of the hit ABC show The Gruen Transfer, where she demystifies advertising, or at least tries to….

We are also welcoming in DRY JULY with a co-pro with Seedlip. This beautifully crafted drink is the world’s first non-alcoholic spirit, so get ready for morning cocktails that won’t stop you from going to work. Crafty.

CreativeMornings with Marcus Powell Friday 25th May, 8.00am-9.30am Studio One Toi Tū

A commitment is a promise to show up whether you’re having a good or bad day. It’s a behavior and mindset that signifies the posture of a professional. It’s about saying yes with your whole heart.

A creative life is built on the commitments you make to projects and people. It can feel like a leap of faith. But is that not the very essence of leading a creative life?

Our speaker this month is Marcus Powell. Marcus is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Crescendo Trust of Aotearoa (CTOA), an organisation that works to connect and re-engage New Zealand’s young people back into education and employment while making meaningful connections with others working in creative industries. Marcus has also helped build Rawkusradio.co.nz, a radio station lead by the youth for the youth. Through his work in building pathways for youth into the NZ music industry he has received a Vodafone New Zealand Foundation’s World of Difference Award and received a nomination for the prestigious “New Zealander of the Year” award.

Marcus is also one of New Zealand’s most decorated rock guitarists. Marcus was an original band member in the multi-platinum band Blindspott who were signed to EMI and Grindhouse Records, performing with Linkin Park, Deftones, and Metallica throughout the world. Blacklistt (gold) which was formed after Blindspott, debuted at number one in 2013 and won the “Best Rock Album” at the 2014 Vodafone Music Awards.

This month’s global exploration of Commitment was chosen by our Vienna chapter and illustrated by Florine Glück. Thank you to our global partners MailChimp, Adobe, and WordPress.com for their ongoing support of the CreativeMornings community.

CreativeMornings with Maru Nihoniho Friday 27th April, 8.00am-9.30am Studio One Toi Tū

Throughout human history, games were about winning or losing.

Maru Nihoniho, MNZM, is the managing director, game producer and designer at Metia Interactive (an award-winning game design studio she founded in 2002) pushes the boundaries of what is possible to achieve with a game.

Author James P. Carse extends this concept beautifully in Finite and Infinite Games: “A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.”

Maru epitomises how the gaming world can improve our realities. In 2016 Maru was awarded a New Zealand Order of Merit for her work in gaming and mental health, and recently awarded the Innovator of the Year in 2017 MCV Pacific Women in Games Awards from Xbox. She has completed her Masters Degree in Technological Futures, where she produced a game called Tākaro to teach rangatahi to strengthen spatial awareness skills and learn coding concepts.

Which game are you playing with your art? Keep your eyes on the journey, not the prize.

This month is presented by our global partner MailChimp. This month’s global exploration of Game was chosen by our Liège chapter and illustrated by Jeffrey Phillips.

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