Creative New Zealand’s latest artist residency in Fiji is now open for proposals from mid-career or established Aotearoa-based artists of Pasifika heritage to work on an arts project themed around climate change.

The new partnership with the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva has been established as part of the Pacific Arts Strategy 2018 – 2023.

The successful applicant will be based at the Oceania Centre over three months from August to October 2020.

The main aims of the residency are to:

• allow the artist to share their skills with the Fijian arts community and to develop a deeper understanding of Fijian culture, arts practice and the arts community across Oceania
• encourage the development of contemporary arts skills among students and peers at the Oceania Centre, Fijian artists and the wider community through their engagement with the selected artist
• build professional networks in Fiji and across Oceania for future opportunities.

Arts Council member Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban says that it’s an exciting development as part of the Pacific Arts Strategy to continue to foster cultural exchange between New Zealand and Fiji.

“This is a first for Creative New Zealand and the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa, where we can provide support for an artist and their project focusing on such an important global issue, especially for our peoples across Oceania.”

Director for the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies Frances Koya Vaka’uta says, “It offers a wonderful opportunity for the recipient artist and for the arts community in Fiji and the USP region.”

“We also look forward to exploring new ways of engaging in arts discourse not just between the artists in the islands and Pasifika artists in New Zealand but also about their arts practice. The success of this first offering will help us to shape similar island-based initiatives for other member countries of the University in the future,” she says.

Creative New Zealand is investing $25,000 for the residency in 2020. Find more information on our website.

Key dates:

• Fund opens for applications: 24 January 2020
• Applications close: 3 April 2020
• Notify results: 22 May 2020

For funding queries and advice on applying to the fund, please contact:

​Simonne Likio
Funding Services Adviser 
Freephone: 0800 273 284
E: simonne.likio@creativenz.govt.nz  

For media queries please contact:

Paul Lisi
Senior Communications Adviser – Pacific
Creative New Zealand | Toi Aotearoa
Mob: +64 27 218 6382 | DDI: +64 9 373 3090
E: paul.lisi@creativenz.govt.nz | W: creativenz.govt.nz