What is aroha? What does it look like? How does it feel? Who and what do you and your communities care about?

Weaving together contributions from communities around the region, this large-scale collaborative art project asks the people of Auckland to reflect on what Aroha, the theme of Auckland Arts Festival 2021, means to them.

Inspired by weaving, stitching and other making practices, and using only found materials, Aroha Art Project will bind our individual and collective expressions into an expanding work of art to be displayed at the heart of the Festival, in Aotea Square from 4–21 March.

In times of challenge, creative collaboration can calm, heal and connect, providing new opportunities for reflection and thought. Harness your creative flair and delve into what aroha means to you, in the context of our three sub-themes:

Aroha ki ngā kōrero / respect for our stories
Aroha ki te tangata / show kindness, compassion, goodwill towards people
Aroha ki te taiao / caring for our natural environment – air, land, water

Make with us
Join us during the Festival for artist-led making sessions on Sunday 7 March and Sunday 14 March, 11am–3pm. All welcome.