Artsenta is a non-treatment based art studio providing support for artists who have used mental health services, wishing to further explore their creativity. It's about access to the arts. Our philosophy is that everyone has the right to creaative expression, and Artsenta offers this within a safe, non-judgemental, positive environment. This is achieved by:

• Offering a rich range of workshops and programmes, on a wide variety of visual and performance based areas.

• Providing studio space and materials for artists.

• Running a weekly programme with regular sessions.

• Running longer term projects (see 'projects' section).

• Working in partnership with the local art community.

• Providing support for artists to access art events and exhibit their works on a local and national level.

• Providing an outreach programme to areas outside of Dunedin - at present Oamaru, Balclutha, Clyde and Alexandra (see 'outreach' section)

• Helping to promote the work of artists that use our service by helping organise exxhibitions (see gallery), publishing books / CD's, & exhibiting/advertising works on the internet.

Painting, sculpture, pottery, bone carving, crafts, music, drama, creative writing & computer work

Our current weekly timetable includes the following sessions:

• Monday - Jelly Sponge meeting (3:30) - Poetry (3:30pm) - Moonlight Makers (4:30 - 6pm - see main page for upcoming projects)

• Wednesday - Life Drawing (1:30pm)

• Thursday - Bone Carving (10:30am - 2pm)

• Friday - 'Earth works' Pottery (10:30 - 1:30)

If you need more information regarding any of the above sessions, you can contact us on (03) 4779566), write to us at PO Box 5986, Dunedin, or send us an email.

Every new artists that uses Artsenta completes an individual plan called a 'creative session'. It gives the artists an opportunity to tell us what they would like to do and achieve. It also gives us some information about the artist that we need to collect for the funders of our service.

An 'art plan' is the next stage, for artists who have settled into Artsenta, and is a chance for an individual to discuss what they would like to achieve over the coming year (detailed information about these, including our operational policies, can be found in the downloads section).

Artsenta is a shared art studio space, and it is important that a positive environment is maintained so that all of the members of the Artsenta community can get the most out of what it offers.

Therefore, it is expected that all Artsenta artists show respect for Other Artists, their space, their work and their right to be at Artsenta, aswell as Artsenta equipment, materials and property. It is also expected that all Artsenta artists help maintain a creative, positive and safe environment, and show respect to others by-

• Not being violent (either verbally or physically)

• No intimidation, sexual or racial harassment

• No substance abuse

• Not using (or being under the influence of) alcohol or street drugs while at Artsenta

The 'Welcome mural' (located in the stairway of the main entrance) is a constant reminder of how our community operates and the importance of respecting and supporting what each artists contributes the Artsenta.

So, what now......?

If you are using/have used mental health services, are aged 17 years and over and are wanting to explore your creativity, then Artsenta could be the place for you. We invite you to share our art studio, whichis a positive and safe place.

Contact us on (03) 4779566,  email us, or call in and see us. Artsenta is located at 100 Great King Street, with the main entrance right opposite the Outback Inn. People requiring level access can call us to arrange access via the Harvest Court Mall (see map at left).

Artsenta's current opening hours are:

Monday                10:00am - 6:00pm

Tuesday-Friday     10:00am - 4:30pm