Call for applications to preserve Pacific heritage arts

Call for applications to preserve Pacific heritage arts

Creative New Zealand is calling for applications from artists who wish to maintain the health of Pacific heritage arts in New Zealand.

The Kava New Leaders grant and Moana Community Festival grant provide opportunities for heritage arts skills to be passed on to new or emerging artists.

Creative New Zealand-commissioned research into the health of Pacific heritage arts in New Zealand has found that while some are thriving – such as the performing arts, tivaevae and Samoan tatau – others such as aspects of weaving are difficult to maintain.

“There is a strong desire from Pacific communities to preserve and develop heritage arts in this country,” says Creative New Zealand Senior Pacific Arts Adviser Makerita Urale, “we hope these initiatives help this to happen”.

“Heritage arts provide a vehicle to express unique Pacific identities as well as underpin and influence contemporary art.”

Kava New Leaders The Kava New Leaders grant provides an opportunity for established practitioners of heritage arts to pass on their knowledge and skills to potential new leaders in their artform.

This could happen either in New Zealand or the Pacific Islands for between two and four weeks. Creative New Zealand will make up to $7,500 available to support one project that will take place between 1 January and 30 May 2012. Aligned with Kaupapa Pasifika concepts of group learning, a Kava proposal can include up to three artists participating and learning from the experience.

For more information visit: http://www.creativenz.govt.nz/en/getting-funded/find-funding-opportunities/kava-new-leaders-initiative/general-info

Moana Community Festivals This grant supports small regional or isolated Pasifika communities outside the main population centres of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to run festivals which transmit both heritage arts practices and Pasifika languages.

“Many of our communities have emphasised that language provides the context and meaning for heritage artforms and that the well-being of Pacific heritage cannot be considered in isolation from the health of their languages,” says Makerita.

Creative New Zealand will provide up to four $2,500 grants for Moana events, and is calling for expressions of interest from community groups. Each event must take place by 30 May 2012.

For more information visit: http://www.creativenz.govt.nz/en/getting-funded/find-funding-opportunities/moana-community-festivals/general-info

The Kava New Leaders and Moana Community Festivals initiatives were introduced in July this year. This is the second time they have been offered to artists and communities.

The deadline for applications for both initiatives is 5pm Friday 28 October 2011.

Applicants will receive a decision by mid-December 2011.

For information please visit the Creative New Zealand website http://www.creativenz.govt.nz

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