Looking Out For Each Other
Nelson Arts Festival is committed to providing accessibility for our community and to providing a safe space for all.
Here, you'll find all the info you'll need to access our Festival - from getting into our venues, booking tickets and our Pay What You Can system, COVID-19 related info and content warnings.
If there's something you'd like to know that we've missed, please contact us: info@nelsonartsfestival.nz
Accessibility Programme
It is our intention as an organisation to provide greater accessibility to the Festival as a whole.
We are learning and growing our knowledge in this space, which in turn impacts our programme and event delivery as we work towards a Festival that welcomes our whole community.
If you have thoughts or suggestions, please reach out to us: access@nelsonartsfestival.nz
Accessibility
WHEELCHAIR USERS
Wheelchair users are welcome in all spaces in the Festival and all venues have step-free access.
Some venues have specific seats allocated for wheelchair users — please get in touch when booking if you have any questions: access@nelsonartsfestival.nz
Find out more about each venue via the button below:
More mobility access infoSome venues have specific seats allocated for wheelchair users — please get in touch when booking if you have any questions: access@nelsonartsfestival.nz
Find out more about each venue via the button below:
SERVICE DOGS
Service dogs are welcome at our festival venues. Please let the box office staff know via email or phone if your service dog will be accompanying you when you book your ticket.
COMPANION SEATS
We’d like to support everyone who needs support in accessing our festival events. Please let us know if you require a companion seat alongside yours.
You can book a complimentary companion ticket through the Theatre Royal box office in person or by contacting access@nelsonartsfestival.nz
HIGHLY VISUAL EVENTS
Events that have a large visual component and/or minimal audio i.e. visual art exhibitions.
- NUKU exhibition
- The Sensorium
- Kei hea a Tiki? Where is Tiki?
- Piano Burning
- THAW
- Sculpt Nature
- Ko Te Ākau
- Whispers in the Streets (bollards)
- Masks About Town
- Viewfinder Window
- Exhibitions at the Suter Art Gallery
- Cultural Connections
The Theatre Royal also has a hearing assistance system in place.
Please note: The earpieces provided may not compatible with all hearing aids, so it is recommended that users provide their own headsets.
- NUKU exhibition
- The Sensorium
- Kei hea a Tiki? Where is Tiki?
- Piano Burning
- THAW
- Sculpt Nature
- Ko Te Ākau
- Whispers in the Streets (bollards)
- Masks About Town
- Viewfinder Window
- Exhibitions at the Suter Art Gallery
- Cultural Connections
The Theatre Royal also has a hearing assistance system in place.
Please note: The earpieces provided may not compatible with all hearing aids, so it is recommended that users provide their own headsets.
NO LANGUAGE BARRIERS
As above, plus:
- Sun Song Suites
- Italian Moods
- Sun Song Suites
- Italian Moods
NEW ZEALAND SIGN LANGUAGE (NZSL) INTERPRETED EVENTS
NZSL interpreted events feature trained interpreters on the stage signing what is being said during the event for Deaf people who use New Zealand Sign Language to communicate.
HE KŌTUKU REREKA TAHI: A TRIBUTE TO KERI HULME | Sun 23 Oct | 7.00pm
THE KING OF TAKING | Wed 26 Oct | 6:30pm
HE KŌTUKU REREKA TAHI: A TRIBUTE TO KERI HULME | Sun 23 Oct | 7.00pm
THE KING OF TAKING | Wed 26 Oct | 6:30pm
AUDIO BASED EVENTS
Events that have a large audio component to them i.e Pukapuka Talk and music events.
- Gloriously Queer
- Beyond Belief
- The Forgotten Epidemic?
- Showy Ovaries LIVE with Penny Ashton
- Savage Domesticity
- Breaking the Cycle
- Pūrākau: Weaving Māori myths into modern stories
- From Page to Screen
- The Crucial Decade
- Wawata – Moon Dreaming
- NUKU Live
- He Kōtuku Rereka Tahi: A Tribute to Keri Hulme
- Sun Song Suites
- Victory Poetry Slam
- Handsome Boy: Pax Assadi
- Daddy Short-Legs: Eli Matthewson
- Belonging
- Whispers in the Streets (audio)
- Deville Music Hub events
- Gloriously Queer
- Beyond Belief
- The Forgotten Epidemic?
- Showy Ovaries LIVE with Penny Ashton
- Savage Domesticity
- Breaking the Cycle
- Pūrākau: Weaving Māori myths into modern stories
- From Page to Screen
- The Crucial Decade
- Wawata – Moon Dreaming
- NUKU Live
- He Kōtuku Rereka Tahi: A Tribute to Keri Hulme
- Sun Song Suites
- Victory Poetry Slam
- Handsome Boy: Pax Assadi
- Daddy Short-Legs: Eli Matthewson
- Belonging
- Whispers in the Streets (audio)
- Deville Music Hub events
AUDIO DESCRIBED EVENTS
Arts Access Aotearoa defines audio description as: a narrated commentary for blind and vision impaired patrons that provides descriptions of the visual elements. In a theatrical performance, audio description narrates what’s happening on stage in between the dialogue or songs: for example, new scenes, settings, costume, body language, facial expression, movements across the stage and sight gags.
Their narration is transmitted to wireless receivers and headsets worn by the audience members.
Their narration is transmitted to wireless receivers and headsets worn by the audience members.
FEVER: RETURN OF THE ULA | Sat 29 Oct | 8PM:
This also includes a Touch Tour from 6.15pm. For more information, see the FEVER event page.
RITA ANGUS - AUDIO DESCRIBED EXHIBITION TOUR | Tues 25 Oct | 3.30PM:
A guided tour of selected works from the exhibition with local Audio Describer Ange Pearson.
For more information, please see the event page.
This also includes a Touch Tour from 6.15pm. For more information, see the FEVER event page.
RITA ANGUS - AUDIO DESCRIBED EXHIBITION TOUR | Tues 25 Oct | 3.30PM:
A guided tour of selected works from the exhibition with local Audio Describer Ange Pearson.
For more information, please see the event page.
SAFE SPACE
Nelson Arts Festival is committed to providing a safe space for all. We have zero tolerance for discriminatory and bullying behaviours.
See all Events
How to book
Right here, right now (online)
Visit individual event listings for all your web purchasing needs (plus paperless tickets) or for all the ticketed events in one snapshot click the button below.
Book Now!In Person
Tickets are available to purchase at the Theatre Royal Box Office at:
Theatre Royal (78 Rutherford Street), open 12pm - 4pm weekdays.
Theatre Royal (78 Rutherford Street), open 12pm - 4pm weekdays.
By Phone
You can also call Theatre Royal on 03 548 3840 (and select 1).
Or, if you have any questions about an event or tickets you have purchased you can email boxoffice@theatreroyalnelson.co.nz or info@nelsonartsfestival.nz.
How to Pay
You can pay with cash, eftpos or credit card. Tickets ordered over the phone can be collected in person or emailed to you free of charge — please enquire at the time of booking.
Ticket Prices & Service Fees
All ticket prices are inclusive of GST but do not include the per ticket service fee. If using a credit card, this will also incur a fee. The following are our per ticket service and credit card fees:
- $1.50 per ticket for internet purchases
- $2.50 per ticket for counter purchases
- Credit card fees 3%
Door Sales
Door sales are available one hour prior to the performance time. Please check availability (some performances will sell out) on the individual show listings.
I'm Ready - Book Now!Pay What You Can (PWYC) Ticketing
WHY & HOW IT WORKS
How can more people feel seen and heard by the Festival? How do we open our door a little wider? We are proud and delighted to announce - not one, not two, but ALL of our ticketed shows will be Pay What You Can (PWYC) this year!
We believe that Pay What You Can makes the Festival more financially accessible to more of our community, and will build love of the arts in the hearts of Whakatū and beyond. With various factors it’s been and continues to be a tough time out there, and we want to help give the gift of the Festival to as many people as we can.
We know many of you will be familiar with this system, but for those of you who are coming upon it for the first time, here’s a brief overview:
We believe that Pay What You Can makes the Festival more financially accessible to more of our community, and will build love of the arts in the hearts of Whakatū and beyond. With various factors it’s been and continues to be a tough time out there, and we want to help give the gift of the Festival to as many people as we can.
We know many of you will be familiar with this system, but for those of you who are coming upon it for the first time, here’s a brief overview:
WHAT IS PAY WHAT YOU CAN?
We know that price is a barrier for some, and this new model is another step along the road to making all of our activities accessible to everyone.
When you buy a ticket there are a range of prices to choose from, and to help you with this decision, we have included a recommended price per ticket. This recommended price is what we’d traditionally charge for tickets.
Any amount paid over this will help us continue to offer the Pay What You Can model, while helping to support our activities with artists, tamariki and rangatahi, and our local community.
When you buy a ticket there are a range of prices to choose from, and to help you with this decision, we have included a recommended price per ticket. This recommended price is what we’d traditionally charge for tickets.
Any amount paid over this will help us continue to offer the Pay What You Can model, while helping to support our activities with artists, tamariki and rangatahi, and our local community.
SO THERE'S A RECOMMENDED TICKET PRICE?
Correct - this price is set to make a contribution to the costs of putting on the event. It doesn’t cover all of the costs, but it makes a dent.
BUT THERE ARE OTHER PRICES I CAN PAY?
Yep. That's the beauty of Pay What You Can! When you book, you'll be given different options to choose from. If the recommended price is inaccessible for you, please select a bracket which is manageable. If you are able to pay more than the recommended price, you will be helping to provide access for the whole community.
IF I PAY LESS DO I GET A "BAD" SEAT?
Absolutely not! Shows at the Theatre Royal and the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts (NCMA) have allocated seating so you can choose whatever seat you want when you book. Other venues are general admission so it is first in, first served, no matter what price you paid for your ticket. If you have specific access requirements, get in contact via access@nelsonartsfestival.nz
ANY QUESTIONS? Email us at info@nelsonartsfestival.nz
Booking InformationCorrect - this price is set to make a contribution to the costs of putting on the event. It doesn’t cover all of the costs, but it makes a dent.
BUT THERE ARE OTHER PRICES I CAN PAY?
Yep. That's the beauty of Pay What You Can! When you book, you'll be given different options to choose from. If the recommended price is inaccessible for you, please select a bracket which is manageable. If you are able to pay more than the recommended price, you will be helping to provide access for the whole community.
IF I PAY LESS DO I GET A "BAD" SEAT?
Absolutely not! Shows at the Theatre Royal and the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts (NCMA) have allocated seating so you can choose whatever seat you want when you book. Other venues are general admission so it is first in, first served, no matter what price you paid for your ticket. If you have specific access requirements, get in contact via access@nelsonartsfestival.nz
ANY QUESTIONS? Email us at info@nelsonartsfestival.nz
Our Pay What You Can ticketing is made possible by funding from The Cultural Sector Innovation Fund, Manatū Taonga | Ministry of Culture and Heritage, as well as the support of our Karearea Partner, Nelson Building Society.
Important information
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices include GST but do not include service or credit card fees.
Exchanges & Refunds
Once you have purchased your tickets, we are not able to refund them. However due to the uncertainties posed by COVID-19, we’re offering additional flexibility in the instance of COVID-19 related complications.
If you are feeling unwell please stay home and email us to let us know. We will exchange or refund your ticket where possible (and if contacted pre-event) as thanks for putting your community first.
If you are feeling unwell please stay home and email us to let us know. We will exchange or refund your ticket where possible (and if contacted pre-event) as thanks for putting your community first.
Allocated versus General Admission
Apart from Theatre Royal and NCMA, all venues are general admission. First in, first served!
Latecomers
We reserve the right to admit latecomers only at a suitable point in a performance. If there is no suitable point, latecomers may not be permitted to enter. Latecomers are not entitled to a refund or transfer.
Devices
The use of mobile phones or other similar devices is not permitted during shows. The use of cameras or other recording devices is strictly prohibited.
Accessibility
For more information visit our Accessibility information above.
Disclaimer
At the time of loading the website [and printing the brochure!] every effort was made to ensure that programme details were correct. However, some changes may occur after publication. Please continue to check the Festival website for the latest information and don't hesitate to contact us if in any doubt.
Pay What You Can
On the booking page, there are a range of prices to choose from, and to help you with this decision, we have included a recommended price per ticket. This recommended price is what we’d traditionally charge for tickets, and any amount paid over this will help us continue to offer the Pay What You Can model, while helping to support our activities with artists, tamariki and rangatahi, and our local community.
We know that price is a barrier for a lot of folx, and this new model is another step along the road to make all of our activities accessible to everyone. We will not be offering Early Bird tickets or Group bundles this year.
Find out more about the WHY and HOW of Pay What You Can above.
Our Pay What You Can ticketing is made possible by funding from The Cultural Sector Innovation Fund, Manatū Taonga | Ministry of Culture and Heritage, as well as the support of our Karearea Partner, Nelson Building Society.
We know that price is a barrier for a lot of folx, and this new model is another step along the road to make all of our activities accessible to everyone. We will not be offering Early Bird tickets or Group bundles this year.
Find out more about the WHY and HOW of Pay What You Can above.
Our Pay What You Can ticketing is made possible by funding from The Cultural Sector Innovation Fund, Manatū Taonga | Ministry of Culture and Heritage, as well as the support of our Karearea Partner, Nelson Building Society.
Content Warnings
Some events have aspects that some audience members may find disturbing or uncomfortable. This ranges from audio or visual effects like strobe lighting, or content such as references to sexual assault or drug use.
Please check individual show listings below for event-specific information.
- Beyond Belief: Drug references, sexual references, rape/ sexual assault, mental illness
- Bloodlines: Violence, murder
- Breaking the Cycle: Drug references, alcoholism
- Eli Matthewson: Strong language, sexual references
- Erny Belle: Drug references, strong language, reference to violence, alcoholism, child abuse
- Fever: The Return of the Ula: Strong language, sexual references, haze, strobe, audience participation
- Gloriously Queer: Sexual references
- Pax Assadi: Strong language, references to racism
- Piano Burning: Fire, smoke
- Savage Domesticity: Violence, references to the Holocaust
- ScatterGun: Drug references, strong language, sexual references, mental illness, death/grief
- Showy Ovaries: Strong language, sexual references
- The King of Taking: HazeThoroughly Modern Māui: Haze
- VÏKÆ: Drug references, strong language, mental illness
- The Forgotten Epidemic?: Mental illness
- Wiri Donna: Rape/sexual assault themes
Covid-19
LOOKING OUT FOR YOURSELF & OTHERS
Sadly, this pandemic is not over yet. In order to protect the performers in our events, we kindly encourage you to wear a mask while in indoor performance spaces.
The Festival team, artists and audiences are required to comply with the latest Government health advice at the time of the event.
We ask for your patience, care and trust as we navigate events and gatherings at this time.
The Festival team, artists and audiences are required to comply with the latest Government health advice at the time of the event.
We ask for your patience, care and trust as we navigate events and gatherings at this time.
Refunds & Cancellations
To honour our duty of care for our artists and our community alike, if an artist gets sick and can no longer travel or perform, events may be postponed or cancelled.
We will offer exchanges or refunds to our ticket holders should this happen - keep an eye on your emails and our social media.
We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our community first and foremost.
Booking InformationWe are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our community first and foremost.
Safe Space
Nelson Arts Festival is committed to providing a safe space for all.
We have zero tolerance for discriminatory and bullying behaviours.
Huge thanks for their ticketing expertise to
