Pacific Arts Committee seeks nominations

26 May 2006

Pacific Arts Committee seeks nominations

for Arts Pasifika Awards 2006

The Pacific Arts Committee of Creative New Zealand is seeking nominations for the Arts Pasifika Awards 2006, which celebrate Pacific artists across a range of artforms and career stages. The closing date for nominations is 5pm, Friday 30 June 2006.

The recipients of the Arts Pasifika Awards 2006 will be announced at a special ceremony in Wellington in November. Marilyn Kohlhase, Chair of the Pacific Arts Committee, encourages all New Zealanders to nominate Pacific artists whom they feel deserve recognition.

“Pacific arts make a valuable contribution to New Zealand’s international reputation, and the richness and diversity of the arts in this country,” Ms Kohlhase says. “The annual Arts Pasifika Awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate that contribution.”

The Arts Pasifika Awards 2006 offer six awards. These are:

- Senior Pacific Artists’ Award ($7000) recognises the contribution of a senior Pacific artist in maintaining or developing his or her artform in New Zealand. Last year’s recipient was Auckland musician Opetaia Foa’i (Tokelau/Tuvalu/Samoa)

- Pacific Heritage Arts Award ($5000) recognises an individual artist or cultural group who has made a major contribution to maintaining, reviving or promoting a Pacific heritage artform in New Zealand. Last year’s recipient was Auckland traditional master artist Mafi Malanga XIII (Tonga)

- Pacific Innovation and Excellence Award ($5000) recognises an established Pacific artist or group who has demonstrated innovation and excellence in their artform. Last year’s recipient was Auckland multi-media artist John Ioane (Samoa)

- Salamander Gallery Award for Emerging Pacific Visual Artists ($3000) recognises an emerging Pacific artist showing promise in the field of visual arts. Last year’s recipient was Auckland sculptor Maui ‘Ofamo’oni (Tonga)

- Iosefa Enari Memorial Award ($3000) recognises the contribution of the late Iosefa Enari to the arts and in particular his pioneering role in Pacific opera. This study/travel award supports the development of Pacific opera singers. Last year’s recipient was Invercargill opera singer Ramonda Te Maiharoa-Taleni (Samoa, Waitaha)

- Emerging Pacific Artists’ Award ($3000) recognises an emerging Pacific artist or group showing promise in their chosen artform. Last year’s recipient was Wellington writer Miria George (Rarotonga, Atiu-Cook Islands).

For nomination forms please contact Anton Carter (Tel: 04-498 0729 Email: antonc@creativenz.govt.nz). You can also download the nomination forms from the resources section of Creative New Zealand’s website (www.creativenz.govt.nz).

ENDS

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