Creative Critique Programme
Constructive and robust critique sessions
- Structured and supportive critiques based around Description, Analysis, Interpretation and Evaluation.
- Full support, education and assistance with our critique process for beginners and seasoned critique participants alike.
Guided support over our 12 month programmes
Studio visits where possible and regular check-ins to hold you accountable and goal focused.
Industry professionals are invited periodically throughout our programme for connection and to offer their unique perspectives.
Connect with your creative community
- Expand your creative network with guided support from facilitators, industry professionals and participants.
- Private group for sharing, events and connection.
How do we huddle?
The Artistry Huddle's kaupapa is tailored to fit around our busy schedules and support any practitioner, in any media, at any stage of their career. Full time employment? Us too! Busy families? Same! If you have a couple of hours a week to dedicate to your art practice, you can join us.
Our Programmes
All programmes are year long with online or in person options.
Within our programmes we offer:
Monthly huddles, meeting every month for 10 months for consistent and regular connection.
Bi-monthly huddles, meeting every second month for those who want regular critiques but more time to make work.
Quarterly huddles, meeting four times throughout the year's programme for those who want a constructive check in to support their art practice.
Outside our huddles, we offer a private group for sharing exhibitions, community events plus studio visits to document and promote your creative practice.
The Huddles
If your programme is in person, prior to each huddle, your facilitators will have asked what display needs you have and let you know the order of critiques. With 8 participants, each huddle is 4 hours long including set up, afternoon tea and pack down.
For online huddles, you will have a personalised file shared with your facilitator. Prior to each huddle, you will be prompted to upload photos of your work for critique to this file. There will be criteria and instructions for upload provided to you. For each huddle, a combined image file will be shared with you and you will use this to browse through the images during the critique.
During each huddle your critique is 20 minutes long:
5 minutes for you to present your work and discuss your concepts, media, successes and struggles.
5 minutes for your fellow huddlers and facilitators to have a closer look and ask any questions.
10 minutes for critique from fellow participants, industry professionals and your facilitator.
For any critique, you can request a cold read; a critique without prior explanation about the work.
Our facilitators take notes during each critique and this gets emailed to you after the huddle. By the end of our programme you will have a complete document outlining your development over the year.
Upcoming Programmes
All our programmes are 12 months long. If the monetary investment is a barrier to your participation, please get in contact with us. We have payment plans available.
Monthly Huddles - Te Awamutu
2025
Join us for monthly, in person, huddles beginning February 2025.
When: 12.00pm - 4.00pm the first Saturday of every month for 10 months.
Where: Te Awamutu Library Community Meeting Room.
Who: Facilitated by Kate Symmans.
Discounted investment of $100* per month, for x10 months with thanks to Creative Community Schemes Waipā.
*If this investment is a barrier to your participation please get in touch, we have payment plans available.
Monthly Huddles - Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) 2025
More info coming soon!
Monthly Huddles - Tauranga
2025
More info coming soon!
Monthly Huddles - Tauranga 2024
January 2024 - December 2024
Facilitator: Liz Cooper
Bi-Monthly Huddles - Online
2023
January 2023 - December 2023
Monthly Huddles - Te Awamutu 2022 - 2023
July 2022 - June 2023
About us
Kia ora! My name is Kate. I am an artist and art educator living in Waikato and the face behind The Artistry Huddle.
After graduating from tertiary education, I found it challenging to maintain my art practice. It took the encouragement of my peers and many late nights to navigate that creative slump. A few years later, I faced another lull, but completing a residency reignited my passion and helped me rediscover the art I was excited to create.
I’m grateful for the opportunities that kept me on track, but I often felt there was a need for more tailored, ongoing support for busy creatives facing these inevitable phases in their careers.
That’s where The Artistry Huddle comes in. We offer regular, constructive huddles designed to provide support, foster connections, and critique your work—no matter where you are in your artistic journey or what medium you practice.
Our kaupapa supports the growth and develop your creative practice with the guidance of facilitators, fellow huddlers, and your artistic community throughout Aotearoa. Join us in cultivating your creativity and passion!
Testimonials
Juliann Smith
Illustrator and 22-23 Huddler
"My work and confidence has already improved since the start of the programme as I am encouraged to talk about my own work and others."
@illustrationsbyjuliann
Eve Macfarlane
Artist, 3x Olympian and 22-23 Huddler
"I have gained so much already, the monthly meet ups are a great way to hold accountability, but not only that, I’ve gained invaluable feedback on my work to help me develop from too."
Lynette Fisher
Painter and 22-23 Huddler
"The connections I make in these sessions are invaluable to broadening my practice."
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Applications OPEN NOW!
Applications close 5pm Monday 13th January. Applications submitted outside our opening dates will not be considered.