About Us
Safe faces, safe places.
"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.
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.
Our Kaupapa
'A place for learning, supporting and opportunity. Strength lies in differences not similarities'.
Our aim is to create a safe space with a flurry of creative happenings, taking a step further than empathy by stepping back, encouraging others to lead the way, thrive, and become agents of positive change and social transformation. Cultural Conversations facilitates workshops, performances, and installations and in general, a safe space for people to korero in Whakatū CBD.
Cultural Conversations works with members of Nelson’s migrant and refugee communities, as well as Tangata Whenua and Pasifika communities, including but not limited to: Columbian, Burmese (Zomi, Chin, Karranni, Kayah), Bhutanese, Sri Lankan, Indian, Chinese, Spanish, Czech Republic, Chilean, Uruguayan, exican/Cuban, Niuean, Brazilian, Polish, and Afghanistan.
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.