21 March 2006

City Council launches Xsite public artist register

As part of its continuing commitment to the arts community, the Christchurch City Council has launched Xsite, an online register of artists with ties to the Canterbury region.

The website is currently looking for applications from artists wishing to be profiled and was created to expand the Council’s ability to work in partnership with the arts community when commissioning public art works.

Modelled on similar projects in Australia, Europe and the United States, Xsite will be used to facilitate the commissioning and placement of engaging artworks in the City.

Christchurch has a long reputation for its heritage of public art and built environments, dating back to Thomas Woolner’s statue of John Robert Godley, the earliest recognised commissioned commemorative sculpture in New Zealand, unveiled in Cathedral square in 1867.

Since then Christchurch’s public spaces have been further enriched by such public artworks as Margriet Windhausen’s Kate Sheppard National Memorial, Riki Manuel’s Poupou, Pat Hanly’s mural Rainbow Pieces, Graham Bennett’s Reasons for Voyaging and Neil Dawson’s Chalice to name but a few.

For further information, or to download an application form visit: www.ccc.govt.nz/artistregister

ENDS

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