About Creative New Zealand

2011 December Quarterly e-newsletter

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Creative New Zealand would like to wish you a merry Christmas and a fun, safe and relaxing holiday break. In the festive spirit of the Twelve days of Christmas, without the music or the rhyming, we recall some of the many highlights of 2011.

One: Venice Biennale where New Zealand was represented at the world’s most prestigious visuals arts exhibition by Michael Parekowhai’s stunning On first looking into Chapman’s Homer. The installation included an intricately carved red Steinway piano and two bronze pianos supporting two bronze bulls.

Two: new Creative New Zealand funding programmes came into effect, which invest $50 million in 72 arts organisations over the next three years.

Three: New Zealand writers James Belich, Dame Fiona Kidman and Peter Bland were recognised for their tremendous contribution to New Zealand non-fiction, fiction and poetry at the Prime Minister’s Awards for Literary Achievement.

Four Flat Whites in Italy reached new audiences as Circa Theatre introduced audio-described performances so the visually impaired could hear about the set, actors’ gestures, costumes and more.

Five: gifted Pacific artists were recognised at the Arts Pasifika Awards – singer and performer Annie Crummer, visual artists Janet Lilo and Kulimoe’anga Stone Maka, weaver Kalameli Ihaia-Alefosio and young opera star Marlena Tifaimoana Devoe.

Six: days and nights of performances and exhibitions at Wanaka’s wonderful Festival of Colour, set against the backdrop of the Southern Lakes.

Seven: the four love affairs and three murders that make up opera’s famous and popular double-bill Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci (Cav and Pag) performed in Auckland and Wellington this year.

Eight: multi-skilled kaihoe crewed Toi Maori’s waka taua Te Hono ki Aotearoa on the Thames River at the invitation of the City of London Festival. They also conducted workshops on Māori arts and culture.

Nine: months – that’s all it took for Christchurch’s inspiring Court Theatre to find a new venue, raise funding and build a 400 seat theatre in a former Addington granary.

Ten: the total number of young kiwi craft/object artists who have exhibited at Talente, following the attendance this year by five artists. Talente in Munich is one of Europe’s most prestigious showcases for emerging talent in design, technology and craft/object art.

Eleven: young dancers from Christchurch’s Jolt Youth toured to Dunedin in September to perform the show Humble Me. Jolt Youth is part of the Jolt Dance Company, which provides educational programmes and performance opportunities for people of all abilities.

Twelve: new funding guides have been published by Creative New Zealand. This includes an overarching Funding and Programmes Guide 2012, plus a guide for each individual artform containing a snapshot of what’s available in your artform.

BOOST FOR COMMUNITY ARTS

Spare a thought for Riverton artist Wayne Hill when you next trip over some driftwood at your local beach.  Hill has been scouring southern beaches for enough driftwood to erect his large sculptures (see left) for his Whimsically Wayne Trail which runs from Jacob's River Estuary, Riverton to Yarrow St, in Invercargill.

Funded through Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) administered by Invercargill District Council, this is just one of many diverse community projects that CCS has supported.  

Creative New Zealand has launched a new community arts policy which will result in more funding and resources being made available to help communities participate in the arts, including a $360,000 boost to the CCS.

Interviewed by The Southland Times, Wayne said he was inspired to create the sculptures for the public after the death of his father. "I went for a walk, reflecting on life and my father, and I just thought ‘reflections’ ... all that stuff was bouncing around in my head. I went home and whimsically put it together and went back out on a wet, rainy night and put it in the estuary."

Since then he has created a number of sculptures which are now on land, however he still feels that the estuary is where his art belongs. 

What does Creative New Zealand mean by “community arts”?

We have identified three principal strands of community arts activities. These are not mutually exclusive as elements of each can sometimes be in a single project:

  • Community cultural development: This involves arts practitioners working with communities and community groups to help them:
    - achieve artistic and social outcomes
    - explore and express issues and interests through the arts (eg. environmental and social equity issues)
  • Maintenance and transmission of cultural traditions: This involves maintaining and passing on from one generation to the next:
    - Māori and Pasifika heritage artforms
    - the distinctive artistic and cultural traditions of defined groups of interest (eg. migrant communities)
  • Leisure and recreation activities: This includes community groups devoted to recreational art activities (eg. pipe bands, repertory societies, arts crafts and jewellery groups)

How are community arts activities funded?

Creative New Zealand funds community arts activities through:

  • the Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) which is administered by your local city or district council. The Arts Council has injected a further $360,000 into the Creative Communities Scheme, effectively raising its budget by 12.9% from $2,789,500 in 2010/2011 to $3,149,500 in 2011/12.
  • Quick Response and Arts Grants from Creative New Zealand. These will support community arts projects, which focus on professional artists and practitioners working with communities, or which have regional or national significance. More information on Quick Response and Arts Grants is available in our Funding and Programmes Guide 2012.

Arts Pasifika Awards night

In November, Creative New Zealand and the Pacific arts community came together to celebrate Pacific excellence and promise in the arts at the 16th annual Arts Pasifika Awards in Wellington.

The awards are the only national awards to celebrate Pacific achievement across all artforms, with five awards presented on the night. Hon. Georgina Te Heuheu, Minister for Pacific Island Affairs presented the awards, one of her last official engagements before retiring from a distinguished career in politics. Visual artist Michel Tuffery (M.N.Z.M.), winner of last year’s Contemporary Pacific Artist Award and set to open the 2012 New Zealand International Arts Festival, gave an inspiring keynote speech; while respected musician and poet Tigilau Ness, father of hip hop icon Che Fu, was Master of Ceremonies. 

Entertainer Annie Crummer received the premiere award, the Senior Pacific Artist Award, for over 30 years of artistic development, contribution and achievement in her artform.

New media and installation artist Janet Lilo received the Contemporary Pacific Artist Award. A recent artist-in-residence in Japan and New Caledonia, Janet uses digital and online platforms to present insights into contemporary daily life for urban New Zealanders.

Chair of the Pacific Arts Committee, Pele Walker, said the awards are an opportunity to celebrate the creative success of those making a difference internationally, nationally and in communities.

“The awards recognise the richness and diversity of Pacific culture in this country. We honour those who share their expertise to preserve heritage artforms; and those who push boundaries to create an exciting contemporary Pacific arts scene in New Zealand,” said Ms Walker.

Kulimoe’anga Stone Maka’s studio was severely damaged in the February earthquake. In that studio, he had developed a technique based on the traditional Tongan practice of smoking mats, which enables him to paint with smoke. Kulimoe’anga received the Emerging Pacific Artist Award, which he dedicated to all artists who have suffered in Christchurch.

Expert weaver Kalameli Ihaia-Alefosio received the Pacific Heritage Arts Award for the contribution she has made towards preserving the art of Tokelauan weaving in New Zealand, especially the distinct weaving techniques of her home island, Nukunonu.

Opera starlet Marlena Devoe was unable to collect the Iosefa Enari Memorial Award in person, as she is in her first year of study at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, New York. The promising soprano’s award was accepted by her father, Sulu Devoe. 

The special occasion was topped off with creative island flair including flowing chocolate fondues, roast pork, raw fish, taro and excitement about the growing health of Pasifika arts in New Zealand.

Outstanding Native American artist visits our shores

Prominent indigenous artist from the United States of America, Joe Feddersen, visited Aotearoa in October exchanging skills and knowledge with established and emerging Māori artists.

Joe visited as part of the 2011 Toi Sqwigwialtxw (pronounced sqweg-voi-out) artist in residence programme between Te Waka Toi and Evergreen State University in Washington.

Initially a 12 week visual arts residency, in 2008 the initiative grew into a biennial exchange. It now runs for up to three months and is open to indigenous artists who demonstrate excellence in their chosen artform.

A Native American artist from the Colville tribe, Joe’s work is influenced by the geometric designs of Plateau Indian artistry and his own heritage.  Best known as a print maker, his career also includes painting, three-dimensional constructions like basketry and glass sculpture, carving, photography and computer-generated imagery, as well as teaching. 

While in New Zealand, Joe participated in Māori Art Market in Wellington; joined 215 other weavers at the Weavers National Hui in Kawhia, and was hosted by institutions including Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in Hastings, Te Puia in Rotorua and Northtec in Northland. He spent time with established Māori artists such as Professor Bob Jahnke, Sandy Adsett and Gabrielle Beltz, as well as with students who were keen to benefit from his wealth of experience.

“I had a fantastic time”, says Mr Fedderson, now back at home near the Reservation where he was born.  “I'm truly impressed with the wealth and range of the Māori artist. People were generous and hospitable - sharing the culture so freely. I learned so much from each person.”

The Toi Sqwigwialtxw residency provides professional development opportunities for Māori and Native American artists, and the chance to broaden networks with other indigenous artists from the Pacific Rim. New Zealand artists who have been involved include; weaver Tina Wirihana, master carver Dr Takirirangi Smith, and visual artist June Northcroft Grant.

Exploring our International markets

Introducing our art to Asia

Creative New Zealand and Asia:NZ Foundation hosted Mami Kataoka, Senior Curator, Mori Art Museum, last week as part of an initiative to strengthen and foster relationships with the Asian visual art market. Mami is also one of the Artistic Directors of the 2012 Gwangiu Biennale and travelled to Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin to visit museums and galleries, and meet with artists and curators.

Mami’s trip has in part resulted from the 2010 curators tour to Asia, and through our connections with Asia:NZ Foundation.  The latter will be funded through the Arts Development Investment (Toi Uru Kahikatea) programme to offer artist residencies in Japan (along with Taiwan and Korea) in 2012 and 2013. 

About Mami Kataoka

Mami Kataoka is a curator and writer and has been the Chief Curator of the Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan, since 2003. From 2007–2009, Kataoka joined the curatorial team at the Hayward Gallery in London as the first international curator. During her tenure at the Mori Art Museum, Kataoka has curated a number of exhibitions, including Ozawa Tsuyoshi: Answer with Yes and No! (2004), All About Laughter: Humor in Contemporary Art (2006), Ai Weiwei: According to What? (2009) and most recently Sensing Nature: Perception of Nature in Japan (2010).

APAM

And it is not just visual art that will be on show internationally in the next couple of months. A New Zealand delegation of artists will be travelling to Adelaide for the biennale showcase of performing arts. The biggest art market in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand productions will feature in the Spotlight showcase, pitch sessions for new work in development, plus delegates can participate in forums, workshops and On Display arts exhibit booths. To find out more about our delegation go to the dedicated page on our website.

International visitors to view New Zealand arts

Up to 20 international performing arts producers, presenters, agents and festival directors have been invited to view the best of New Zealand art and performance at the New Zealand International Arts Festival in Wellington in March next year. They have been invited as part of Te Manu Ka Tau, Flying Friends, Creative New Zealand’s annual incoming visitor programme which spans all artforms and brings key industry representatives to engage with New Zealand art and artists.

The visitors will see new New Zealand work at the festival, attend pitch sessions organised by PAANZ (the Performing Arts Network of New Zealand), and take part in meetings and informal networking between 3 – 7 March 2012.

International capability building workshops will be held at the same time so local artists can learn more about how to break into the Australian and North American arts market from leading producers and agents. Te Manu Ka Tau, Flying Friends is part of Creative New Zealand’s strategy to develop and maintain international audiences and markets for New Zealand work.

To coincide with the festival’s Writers and Readers Week, Creative New Zealand will host an industry networking reception.

As well as attending the festival in Wellington, international music festival directors and producers will be given the chance to see live New Zealand music and meet managers at the SOUNDS Aotearoa and WOMAD festivals in New Plymouth from 14 – 18 March 2012.

To register your interest in attending a capability building workshops please contact International advisor Ana Sciascia on ana.sciascia@creativenz.govt.nz.

Creative New Zealand realises long-term McCahon wish

In September, Creative New Zealand officially gifted the Colin McCahon Painting, Landscape Theme and Variations Series B 1963 to Te Papa, and in doing so, honoured the artist’s long-term wish for the work.

The large painting with an insurance value of $960,000 consists of eight canvases mounted on plywood panels, and has been on long term loan to Te Papa since 1983.

In 1964, the then Arts Advisory Council, bought the painting from McCahon for £450. He asked that the money be donated to the Māori Education Foundation.

The purchase was made to:

  • acquire the work for the nation, and prevent the panels from going to overseas buyers
  • make the panels available to the public by presenting them to the National Gallery

Space restrictions meant that the work was not gifted to the National Gallery because it was only able to accept two of the eight panels. The Arts Advisory Council consequently decided to send the work on a national tour.

In 1964-65 the panels were also included in the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council exhibition New Zealand Contemporary Paintings and Ceramics, which toured Japan, Malaysia and India.

“We are pleased to make this deed of gift which honours both the artist’s wish and the intentions of the original purchase,” says Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Wainwright.

During its years on long term loan, Landscape Theme and Variations Series B has been exhibited at Te Papa as well as at other galleries around New Zealand, through outward loan agreements. These agreements will remain available. The series will be added to current Te Papa holdings (including other McCahon artworks) which builds an increasingly comprehensive national art collection for all New Zealanders.


Introducing three new staff

Three new staff have joined the Creative New Zealand team in Auckland and Wellington.

Ana Sciascia (Ngati Kahungunu/ Ngai Tahu) joined Creative New Zealand in September 2011 as an adviser in the International Team after completing her Masters degree in Museum and Heritage Studies. Previously Ana worked at Whitireia Community Polytechnic, and before that as a senior researcher for the Labour Research Unit. She has international performing arts experience through involvement in kapa haka, which has taken her to South America, Italy, France and Spain. Ana will be based in Wellington.

Catherine Nola joined the Arts Funding team as a theatre arts adviser in November and will be based in Auckland. Prior to joining Creative New Zealand, Catherine worked at the Q Theatre as an administrator, and before that had an internship at the Auckland Theatre Company. She has also worked as a co-producer with the Rebel Alliance Theatre Company and holds a Masters in Theatre Studies. 

Kate Montgomery has also joined the Arts Funding Team as senior visual arts adviser and will be based in Wellington. Kate was previously senior curator at the City Gallery Wellington where her most recent project was to curate Prospect: New Zealand Art Now. Prior to joining the City Gallery she was director of The Physics Room in Christchurch. Kate has first class honours degree in cultural studies and has been a juror for the prestigious Walters Prize offered by the Auckland Art Gallery.

New Funding Guides for 2012 available

Creative New Zealand has released its Funding and Programmes Guide 2012, which is complemented by 11 slim guides for each artform.

The new artform guides provide an overview of our grants and investment programmes and for the first time information about all the international opportunities that are relevant to their artform as well as the residencies, bursaries or scholarships. There is also information about our audience development and capability building programmes.

The artform guides provide a snapshot, while greater detail on Creative New Zealand and the programmes is contained in the Funding and Programmes Guide 2012. You will need the information in both to make an application.

We have taken this approach after listening to the applicants who wanted us to make it easier for them to find relevant information more quickly.

You can download the guides from www.creativenz.govt.nz/guides or contact us at info@creativenz.govt.nz for a hard copy. When you contact us please remember to say which artform guide you want to receive – craft/object arts, dance, inter-arts, literature, Māori arts, media arts, music, Pacific arts, pan-artform festivals, theatre or visual arts.