Cultural Navigator – Shared Communities
About This Role
The Cultural Navigator role arose from the Shared Communities initiative and is based at the Multicultural Centre in Nelson. This position is co-governed by Multicultural Nelson Tasman, Nelson City Council, Arts Council Nelson, and Make/Shift Spaces.
What the Cultural Navigator Does
Supporting Cultural Communities – Assisting ethnic and cultural communities to access funding for events and build organisational capacity.
Arts & Culture Connection – Collaborating with arts, culture, and heritage agencies to break down barriers to participation and ensure former refugees and migrants can share and celebrate their cultural traditions.
Cultural Bridge – Fostering understanding between newcomers and the wider community, and supporting events that celebrate diversity.
Creative Pathways – Using creativity to connect people, preserve cultural traditions, and help communities thrive.
Get in Touch
If you're interested in connecting with cultural communities, accessing arts and heritage opportunities, or learning more about how the Cultural Navigator can support you, please contact us.
Meet Karolina
Originally from Colombia, Karolina is an artist and community facilitator passionate about using creativity to connect people, preserve cultural traditions, and help communities flourish. She works closely with ethnic groups and agencies to open doors in the arts, culture, and heritage sectors.
In Karolina's Words
"I am originally from Colombia, where I grew up in a family of more than 60 painters and studied theatre in both Colombia and Spain. My artistic journey has taken me to exhibit work in Europe, South America, and New Zealand, and since arriving in Aotearoa in 2018, my understanding of the role of the arts has deepened.
Here in Nelson, I have worked with migrant communities and former refugees on creative projects that highlight culture and identity, as well as in the health sector with Disability Support Services. I have also supported ESOL students in schools as a Teacher Aide and Bilingual Support. These experiences have shown me how the arts can transform lives, build confidence, and create pathways for connection and belonging.
I am passionate about preserving and sharing cultural traditions, and about using creativity as a way to promote empathy, inclusivity, and integration. My goal is to help remove barriers to participation in arts, culture, and heritage for migrant and former refugee communities in Whakatū Nelson."