Uncertainty for creative drop-in centre
Magenta Creative Space’s main three-year grant of $50,000 from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage had finished, leaving the organisation without secure ongoing income.
Nelson’s only free, drop-in, fully resourced art studio on Selwyn Place in the CBD was open to people with lived experience of mental distress and does not require a referral.
It was now calling on the community for support to help it stay open six-days-a-week.
Outreach co-ordinator Maria Anderson said 2025 had been the most challenging funding year in the studio’s 25-year history.
Without immediate support, Magenta could not sustain current operations for the more than 220 artists who relied on it.
It received annual funding from two local foundations of $10,000 a year.
“So we know it’s possible that there’s local foundations that may be very willing to support at that level,” she said. “We just need five more.”
Three years ago, Magenta expanded its offerings when a national grant supported 52 creative spaces across the country, but that support was time-limited.
“We’ve spent the last eight months trying to secure that new funding that we’ve needed to retain these services,” Anderson said.
But the Government’s arts and mental health funding was reduced and traditional grants were harder to secure with stricter criteria – even as demand for their services continued to rise.
One requirement was to have $250,000 in the bank before applying.
“Our whole organisation costs less than $200,000 a year to run.”
Anderson was concerned those most in need may miss out.
“We’ve had about eight or nine new people coming in recently. Especially the younger population are starting to really access our studio.”
She described one anxious youth who was reluctant to attend alone. After a few months, they were able to participate on their own, start their own projects, and sing happily to music.
“That was a relief, not only for the young person … but for the rest of the family as well.”
Anderson said she continued to see that play out.
“That’s not a one-off.”
Board chair Matty Anderson, who had a background in mental health, said he loved that Magenta was non-clinical.
It provided a safe, creative space where people found connection with others and relief from suffering.
“It keeps people out of the system,” he said. “Mental torment is just a horrific space to be … medication doesn’t always work … all those people on our books, they don’t belong in a lot of spaces. It’s not safe for them.”
He said the possibility of closure or slashed hours was a “horrible prospect” – one that would be very stressful for everyone involved.
“For our artists and also our tutors.”
Nelson MP and Labour spokesperson for arts, culture and heritage Rachel Boyack said it was “deeply concerning” for the community.
“There are examples of people who, since accessing services through Magenta, haven’t had to spend time in the mental health unit at Nelson Hospital.”
New funding criteria excluded small, grassroots organisations, which were “exactly the kind of service that delivers mental health support and connection for very little government investment”, she said.
Boyack had already questioned ministers at select committee about the restrictive criteria and planned to write again, urging changes.
“These small, community-led organisations can transform lives,” she said. “They’re designed by the people who use them, and that’s what makes them so effective.”
By Warren Gamble, Nelson Mail
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