TBI Q&A: Along with planning events for children at Capital E, Elise Goodge says her role includes everything from mopping the floor to donning an elf hat and pretending to be one of Santa’s little helpers.
In this Q&A Goodge talks about why it is important to nurture creativity and innovation at an early age.

“We have to create experiences for children that make art, design and creativity so accessible to them that they never feel that a door is closed to them, an art form too exclusive or a career path too unlikely.”

Mark Amery: Visual Arts – 2009 was the year we got to see what Wellington looks like without City Gallery, with our major contemporary art institution closed for most of the year for a major extension.

“City Gallery’s absence emphasised the impressive array of visual arts activity happening beyond it.”

TalkWrite: As Renee Liang looks back over her busy year, including the TalkWrite blog and Cultural Storytellers series, she ponders the relative merits of saying 'yes' and 'no'.

Competition: Thanks for sharing your favourite Dave Dobbyn song. See the story to find out who won the competition, and read the community comments and a message from Dave Dobbyn!

Inside: Work – Check out the latest summary of interesting jobs in the creative sector.

The Big Idea will be sending one more bulletin next week, a holiday special which will include a highlight of events, so please add yours here.

Cathy Aronson
Editor
The Big Idea - Te Aria Nui