Government partnership to assist artists and the environment

IFACCA/Artshub, 03 May 2002,Australia

A new partnership between Creative New Zealand and the Department of Conservation that encourages artists to create works inspired by New Zealand’s natural and historic resources has been launched by Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Judith Tizard and Conservation Minister Sandra Lee.

The partnership includes a residency program, ‘Wild Creations’, which will involve three visual artists spending up to six weeks of next summer exploring the environment of a particular conservancy to research new works. Fifteen possible residency locations have been identified by the Department of Conservation, representing a diverse range of sites throughout New Zealand. Hosted by the department throughout the duration of their residencies, artists will also receive a stipend from Creative NZ.

‘Artists are being enlisted to record New Zealand’s conservation heritage,’ commented Tizard and Lee, ‘They’ll be free to explore the environment and challenges of their location through the artistic mediums of cultural tradition, including craft, choreography, photography, painting, sculpture, literature or music.’

Director General of the Department of Conservation, Hugh Logan, believes this partnership is a major step forward for New Zealand. ‘In five years’ time, I can see some major travelling exhibitions celebrating the work that has been produced. I believe these residencies will result in something spectacular, which will be so stimulating it will capture the imagination of people in New Zealand and overseas,’ he said.

The new partnership is one of a number bringing together arts and the environment that Creative NZ supports, including a collaboration with Antarctica New Zealand.

General information regarding Creative New Zealand and its programs is available online at: www.creativenz.govt.nz

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