"Keeping the dread at bay": Students combat cost of living crisis with creativity

Three new creative works developed in the course Creativity in the Community will be premiered at 7pm on May 30 at the Newtown Community Centre in Wellington. The two short films and a zine explore social issues in the Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington community, with a strong focus on solutions.

Bachelor of Communication student Maria Williams has crafted a documentary film with her group, which features work-placement students and experts discussing unpaid placements.

“Using creativity to advocate for change is one step towards keeping the dread at bay,” she says.

The evening will also feature a short film about the Wellington rental market, highlighting its impact on student wellbeing and providing advice on tenants’ rights from the Citizens Advice Bureau. Additionally, a zine will shine a positive light on local Wellington community workers who fight for social change, from organizations such as Everybody Eats and Women’s Refuge.

Maria says the process of making the film has lifted her group’s spirits and given them a sense that change is possible.

“In a world where you often feel helpless, making an output like our documentary has given us the opportunity to link with other amazing people and feel like our voice is being heard."

The evening will conclude with an open kōrero, with speakers and guests from Ngā Pou Whakawhirinaki o Aotearoa Citizens Advice Bureau, Downtown Community Ministry, Peace Action Wellington and Paid Placements Aotearoa.

Creativity in the Community is a final-year capstone course in the School of Humanities, Media and Creative Communication. Course coordinator Professor Elspeth Tilley says it supports students to put into action what they have learned in their Bachelor of Communication degree about using creativity to communicate.

“It’s important that students get a chance to test out their learning by experiencing the messy realities of working with a real community partner and issue. After this, they are ready for anything.”

Creativity in the Community has been running since 2016 and explores theories and methods of creative activism. Past projects have included a book of stories from Wellington’s housing-deprived community, a project on consent, a play about the youth justice system and street theatre about climate change.

“This year, students chose to focus on aspects of the cost of living crisis that directly impact them, including renters’ rights and unpaid student work placements. Importantly, they also chose to provide much-needed hope and inspiration by profiling some of the heroic organisations and people making a difference in our community,” Professor Tilley says.

“It’s been a very uplifting semester seeing the focus on solutions and I am looking forward to celebrating the release of these new works with the students and the community.”

For more details, please visit the Facebook Event page.