PAYPA supports and advocates for performing arts organisations and individuals making work for/by/with tamariki and rangatahi in Aotearoa.

What is PAYPA?

 

  • PAYPA - Performing Arts & Young People Aotearoa - is the national support entity for artists and organisations engaged in performing arts for, by and with children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand. We are a not-for-profit organisation, and operate as a leadership organisation and network, for practitioners working for and with tamariki and rangatahi, aged 0-25. PAYPA is New Zealand’s National Centre for ASSITEJ - the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People.

  • The overall purpose of PAYPA is to promote, champion, advocate for and advance the enrichment of tamariki and rangatahi in Aotearoa, through theatre and other performing arts.

  • PAYPA advocates for the right of all children and young people to access and participate in artistic experiences. We are committed to ensuring that New Zealand performing artists and organisations working for or with young people are well-supported, highly valued and resilient, so that all tamariki and rangatahi in Aotearoa have access to high-quality performing arts experiences.

    • Hauora

      We value work that supports physical, mental, spiritual and community wellbeing. We encourage work which supports the health of all participants, our audiences and the wider sector.

    • Manaakitanga

      We foster joyful spaces for theatre makers and audiences that embrace care, respect, generosity and creativity.

    • Ōritetanga

      We champion the right of all young people in Aotearoa to access performing arts experiences, regardless of nationality, cultural identity, ability, gender, sexual orientation, location, ethnicity, religion or socio-economic factors.

    • Whakahōnore

      We commit to increasing our understanding and inclusion of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Treaty of Waitangi principals and te ao Māori in all that we do.

    • Whakawhanaungatanga

      We aim to unite practitioners, nationally and internationally, to support and inspire each other to make work of the highest quality for/with/by children and young people.

  • High-quality and accessible performing arts experiences for/by/with tamariki and rangatahi are created by/with engaged and valued performing artists.

 

ABOUT ASSITEJ

The term theatre is used in its broadest sense to mean the performing arts for young audiences, encompassing dance, puppetry, live art as well as text-based theatre

ASSITEJ is the International Association of Theatre & Performing Arts for Children & Young People. ASSITEJ unites theatres, organisations and individuals throughout the world who make theatre for children and young people.

ASSITEJ promotes international exchange of knowledge and practice in theatre in order to increase creative co-operation and to deepen mutual understanding between all persons involved in the performing arts for young audiences.

The Eel and Sina. (Mythmakers Theatre Company) Photo Kerryn Palmer

The aims of ASSITEJ are as follows:

Recognizing that children and young people make up a large part of the world’s population and that they represent the future, the aims of the Association are:

  • To work for the rights of children and young people to access artistic experiences especially designed and created for them.

  • To work for the recognition and acknowledgement of theatre for children and young people.

  • To work for improvement of the conditions of theatre for children and young people all over the world.

  • To improve the common knowledge of theatre for children and young people worldwide, thus drawing the attention of international and national authorities to the importance of taking children and young people and the artistic work created for them seriously.

  • To give people working with theatre for children and young people the opportunity to learn about the work of colleagues from other countries and cultures, thus enabling them to enrich theatre for children and young people in their own country.

  • To help to form in all countries, ASSITEJ centres and networks which function in accordance with the mission, constitution and policies of the Association. These centres and networks shall unite all theatres, organizations, and persons interested in theatre for children and young people.

  • To help to establish international artistic networks to explore different aspects of artistic work for children and young people, to increase the artistic competence of artists and to benefit them.

 

For more information about ASSITEJ and international ASSITEJ news and events, check out the website: www.assitej-international.org/