The Centre for Arts and Social Transformation at the University of Auckland is hosting a free public lecture Te Rito Toi: The Twice Born Seed on the role and place of the arts in education.

Date: Wednesday 4 November

Time:

• Lecture: 5.30 pm - 7.00 pm
• Opportunity to connect post-lecture: 7 pm - 8 pm

Te Rito Toi: The Twice Born Seed refers to The Te Rito Toi website wwww.teritotoi.org which was created at the Centre to assist schools to return to the classroom post-lockdown. With a focus on the arts and wellbeing, over 250,000 page views in the first weeks of schools reopening and 30,000 New Zealand teachers engaging with the site, it is possible more arts were used to teach in that month in New Zealand schools than in a generation. The Twice Born Seed is a poem written by Gordon Tovey, one of the leaders of a revolutionary arts education movement in New Zealand in the 1950’s and 1960’s. It is time to replant the seed.

The lecture will open with the findings of a 3-year study into the state of creativity in New Zealand schools presented by Professor Peter O’Connor, Director of the Centre. The research paints a compelling picture of the state of New Zealand schools’ creativity. As a second part of the public lecture a panel of artists and education experts will speak of the importance of the arts in everyday life and the role that schools can play in fostering the arts and creativity. Confirmed panellists include Huia O’Sullivan, Executive Director of Ngā Rangatahi Toa, Perry Rush, President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation, Pauline Cleaver, Associate Deputy Secretary for Curriculum, Pathways and Progress at the Ministry of Education, Dr Michelle Johansson, Creative Director of Black Friars Theatre and Liam Rutherford, President of NZEI Te Riu Roa.

Following the lecture is an opportunity to connect with others at the Old Government House Common Room from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Drinks are available to purchase from Old Government House.

Registration is limited due to lecture hall capacity.

Te Rito Toi: The Twice Born Seed Public Lecture is supported by the following organisations:

• New Zealand Principals’ Federation
• NZEI Te Riu Roa
• Arts Access Aotearoa
• Creative New Zealand
• New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
• Te Tuamata Toi-a-Iwi
• The Sir John Kirwan Foundation
• The Chartwell Trust
• Dance Subject Association of New Zealand
• Drama New Zealand
• Music Education New Zealand Aotearoa
• The Big Idea
• PPTA

Event location

Old Government House, The University of Auckland, 24 Princes Street, Auckland, 1010

Public Lecture: Old Government House Lecture Theatre, 102-G36

Opportunity to connect post-lecture: Old Government House Common Rooms

Refer to map for parking directions.