About Us
Safe faces, safe places.
Who Are We
Cultural Conversations is a community-based arts hub that facilitates opportunities for people from Nelson’s former refugee and migrant communities to share music, art and storytelling through creative programmes, workshops, and events. The primary outcome of these sessions is to enhance knowledge, awareness, and appreciation for the cultural diversity that makes up the Nelson region as well as wider Aotearoa New Zealand.
"Cultural Conversations is like a glowing fire where different people come in and stoke it".
Lisa Lawrence.
"Cultural Conversations is a space that celebrates and respects diversity and unites people from different communities. It is a space to learn and teach, to give to others and to receive. A space for everyone and co-created by all"
Karolina Serrano.
Moemoeā/
Our Vision
For the world a more equitable place to live, where everyone feels included and no one feels isolated.
Kaupapa/
Our Purpose
To celebrate and respect diversity, bringing together people from different communities. We believe in a collaborative approach, co-created by all, to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity for everyone involved.
Whanonga Pono/Our Values
1. We value people.
We believe that all people have intrinsic and equal value, and that everyone deserves justice, peace and opportunity. We don’t view people as projects or statistics.
2. We respect difference.
We celebrate the richness of diversity in human cultures, traditions and faiths and we look to build on common ground and similarities while not minimising or ignoring differences. We recognise that people’s identities are multi-layered and that labels are often ineffective.
3. We practice hospitality.
Together we are dedicated to fostering connection and understanding- Cultural Conversations
We believe that everyone deserves to be welcomed and included, and that nobody should be isolated or lonely. We recognise that people coming together around the arts can be transformational for our communities and we encourage a safe space of belonging.
4. We act with integrity.
We seek to be honest about what we do and why and seek to keep relationships at the centre of our work.
5. We are reflective.
We seek to learn from our mistakes. We are flexible, adapting to opportunities and needs as they arise. We work hard to find creative solutions.
Team Members
Global Stitch Up
We Connect | We Support | We Equip
At Cultural Conversations we strive to create a place and space where people can come together and build a shared sense of belonging, enriching individual wellbeing and resilience.
Many things can enrich life and give it meaning and people are less likely to become isolated if they regularly take part in activities they find interesting or fulfilling.
We believe that everyone deserves to be welcomed and included, and that nobody should be isolated or lonely. We recognise that people coming together around the arts can be transformational for our communities.
Global Stitch up is a creative hub based at Cultural Conversations where we want women from diverse backgrounds to
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Feel safe and empowered.
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Upskill but also learn from each other’s cultural traditions.
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Engage in conversation and make new friends.
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Gain business independence and responsibility.
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Feel motivated.
By supporting our project our dreams and wishes are that the host community can play a vital role in powering economic growth and reducing inequalities.
