Major indigenous arts conference and exhibition

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To: Chief Reporter/Arts-Maori Affairs Reporters

Date: 8 November 2001
No of pages: 2

Te Waka Toi grants support major indigenous arts conference and exhibition

Te Waka Toi, the Mäori arts board of Creative New Zealand, has backed a major indigenous arts conference and exhibition planned for Palmerston North in July next year.

The project is being led by Mäori artist and academic Robert Jahnke through the School of Mäori Studies at Massey University, and will include eight indigenous artists invited to create work for the Manawatu Art Gallery in Palmerston North to coincide with a conference along the theme: Indigenous art and heritage, and the politics of identity.

The aim of the conference is to look at arts practices among indigenous peoples throughout the South Pacific to see how these policies are implemented, distributed and delivered. A range of international and national speakers has been confirmed for the event.

Chair of Te Waka Toi Elizabeth Ellis said the project was one of the most exciting proposals to come through the latest funding round.

“The implications globally and nationally of where Mäori have been and where they are going will be borne out through this project,” she said.

“The conference and exhibition will address the academic and artistic needs of scholars, as well as the practitioners.

“Maori will benefit from this conference and meet other indigenous people face to face, those who have similar challenges and histories to ours. We have much in common as indigenous people and this will be a time to share the richness of our cultural expressions and knowledge. ”

Te Waka Toi received 104 funding requests seeking more than $4 million for a range of projects. It offered 42 grants totalling $563, 674.
Ends

Inquiries to Reuben Wharawhara, Communications Adviser: Ph (04) 498 0727
NOTE: A comprehensive list of projects funded by Creative New Zealand can be found on its website at www.creativenz.govt.nz/funding/grants

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