Arts

The wealth of New Zealand poetry has been a rich source of inspiration for New Zealand composers since the 1940s. Video

Friday is National Poetry Day. To celebrate, we're joined by the Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh from Waiheke Island and Erik Kennedy, a Christchurch-based poet whose debut book of poems will be… Audio

After a decline in readers poetry is making a comeback in the United States. The main group taking to poetry again is 18-24 year-olds. They're reading everything from verses on Twitter to Tennyson. Audio

Australian comedian Tim Ross is well known for his passion for preserving Mid Century design furniture and architecture. He's bringing his internationally acclaimed modernist design stand-up show to… Audio, Gallery

An art exhibition in Auckland is tackling the big issues facing Pacific communities, including colonisation, stigmatisation and the modern identity. Audio

We are a product of our environment and right now, we're facing a crisis of human habitat. That's the view of author Murray Rae in his book Architecture and Theology: The Art of Place.  Audio

Taki Rua Productions are mid-way through the Te Reo Māori season with the play Hine Kihāwai as it continues its ten week tour around the country. Roimata Fox (Waru, The Pa Boyz) and Eds Eramiha… Audio

Fashion is about as about as visual a subject as there is - who can forget the gigantic yellow dress worn by Rihanna at the Met Ball a few years ago? That dress, and its designer, inspired New Zealand… Audio

Visiting Chinese art-jeweller Bifei Cao started using baby formula in his unconventional pieces after hearing the news about the contaminated milk powder scandals. What he didn't realise until coming… Audio

If you had terminal cancer how would you feel about being replaced by your clone? A new play by Christchurch writer James Van Dyk poses this and a whole host of other difficult questions. In The… Audio

Real life partners and award winning opera singers Madison Nonoa and Filipe Manu are taking to the stage to play star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet, before they leave New Zealand for London… Audio

Tony Fomison remains one of the most distinctive New Zealand artists of his generations, almost 30 years after his death. The painter's sister Anna is collecting interviews with people who knew Tony… Audio

Choreographer Neil Iremia and writer Victor Rodger are both reflecting on the male violence they witnessed as children, as they collaborate on a dance work called Crying Men. It tells a… Audio

Next month sees the launch of New Zealand Theatre Month, a project which plans to not only celebrate but elevate live, homegrown theatre. It's the brainchild of our most successful playwright Roger… Audio

Deanne Williams is a professor of English at York University, Toronto, and a Fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge. Prof Williams specialises in medieval and renaissance literatures, and is recognised… Audio

Artist Dane Mitchell, who caused an uproar in 2009 by winning the Waikato National Contemporary Art Award for 'Collateral', which consisted of the binned wrapping from other award entries tipped on to… Audio

Te Papa is holding its first art exhibition aimed at children - Curious Creatures & Marvellous Monsters. The curator, Dr Chelsea Nichols, says kids already use monsters to explain the unknown - and so… Audio, Gallery

Today on Upbeat: Lover or #metoo predator? Don Giovanni, women representation in ballet choreography with visiting choreographer Andrea Schermoly and Stravinsky conducts his own ballet score.

Listeners have two more weeks to prove themselves great lullaby music writers. To help you along here at Upbeat we feature a few different lullabies, from Brahms to Tiki Taane.