Curating Spaces: Showcasing Indigenous Identity Through Collaborative Art Practices at a University Campus

ABSTRACT Within Aotearoa New Zealand there is a growing body of evidence which shows that embedding cultural elements within student experience is a key contribution to the educational success of Māori and Pasifika students. This article describes how the Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland Art Collection team collaborates with indigenous artists and user communities to curate spaces across the University's campuses that align with, and foster a sense of, Te Ao Māori—or Māori worldview. The authors describe how the curation of art throughout the University's campuses (1) aligns with the University's commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its core kaupapa of Whakamana Tangata (protection and enhancement of the dignity and mana of staff and students) (2) represents a shift away from previous ad hoc artwork placement for “embellishment” and toward intentional curation and collaborative site‐specific artworks.