What We Do
PAYPA is a hub for Aotearoa’s Performing Arts & Young People sector.
We support practitioners through our annual Sector Support Programme. We advocate for our members, for a valued and resilient PA&YP sector and for all young people to experience accessible, high quality performing arts.
Some of the activities PAYPA engages in are:
Our annual PAYPA Hui is a chance for performing arts practitioners to come together for a day or two and celebrate the great work happening in our sector. The Hui typically includes professional development, discussion and networking sessions. It also provides an opportunity for the PAYPA team to engage with members and hear about opportunities, challenges and concerns for the sector. PAYPA is then better equipped to advocate for the sector with funders, partners and leaders across the arts sector and in government. PAYPA aims to be a voice for the wider TYA community.
The annual PAYPA Awards, presented during the Hui, acknowledge and celebrate some of the outstanding work being done by members of the Performing Arts & Young People sector.
We offer a Mentorship Programme that connects practitioners wanting to grow their knowledge or skills with sector experts. We also look for other opportunities for practitioners to share knowledge and expertise, e.g. through webinars or local/regional meet-ups.
Our Creative Residency weekend provides time, space and inspiration for practitioners to develop new ideas for young audiences through peer-sharing, mentorship and workshops.
We aim to introduce regular research and surveying of teachers, practitioners and children to understand how the performing arts are being consumed, developed and appreciated across Aotearoa.
Through regular e-newsletters, website updates and social media posts, we promote and connect the sector, and keep our members informed of upcoming events and opportunities.
Throughout the year, we encourage members and practitioners to reach out with any news, successes and concerns regarding their work.
If you would like to talk to PAYPA or are seeking advice on funding, advocacy or anything to do with creating and presenting performing arts work for/by/with tamariki and rangatahi, please contact PAYPA director Kerryn Palmer, or any of our board members.
By supporting the artists who make work for/by/with young people, we can work together to achieve our vision:
High-quality and accessible performing arts experiences for/by/with rangatahi and tamariki are created by/with engaged and valued performing artists.
