NEWS RELEASE                               
12 March 2009
 
Studios up for grabs at Toi Pōneke Arts Centre
 
This May, a number of studios will become available to rent at Toi Pōneke Arts Centre on Abel Smith Street.
 
Toi Pōneke Arts Centre Manager Fiona Gunter-Firth says the studios have helped many people to focus on their work in a supportive environment and work with other artists.
 
“It’s not always easy to secure a studio at the centre,” says Fiona. “Applications are carefully considered by a panel who determine whether the artist will really benefit from being here.
 
“Since opening, we have cultivated a place for people who are serious about their chosen field – be it painting, film, writing, photography or sculpture. Our residents are mostly early career and emerging artists, some of whom are making a living from their full-time creative work here at Toi Pōneke. While we are looking for people with technical ability, we also seek people who are starting out with a goal of making a career from their craft,” she says.
 
Studios can be shared by more than one artist and leases are available for six-month to two-year periods. The rent, which currently ranges from $75 to $130 a week, includes power and GST, the use of communal areas such as kitchen and toilet facilities and 24-hour access to the building.
 
Applications for this round of available studios closes on Tuesday 7 April. Application forms are available from the Wellington City Council website under the Services & Information section or you can contact the centre directly on 385 1929.
 
Anyone who wants to exhibit their work at Toi Pōneke Gallery in late 2009 and early 2010 should get their proposals to the gallery by 3 April.
 
The gallery exhibits work by emerging contemporary artists and curators who show promise and dedication to their practice. More established artists who want to experiment and try out new ideas in a supportive, low-risk environment are also considered. Priority is given to Wellington-based artists. All proposals for exhibitions are assessed by a panel of Wellington arts practitioners and Wellington City Council Arts staff.
 
Fiona says that while the artists pretty much arrange everything for their own exhibition, Toi Pōneke staff are there to help with everything from curatorial expertise to marketing and promotion. She says there have been some hugely successful exhibitions over the years – with one solo artist’s exhibition turning out to be a sold-out show.
 
“The gallery is gaining more recognition among the city’s artists, buyers and critics, and we are getting more high-quality proposals than ever. It is a good time to exhibit at our gallery.”
 
If you want more information on renting a studio or exhibiting at the gallery, call Toi Pōneke Arts Centre on 385 1929 or email artscentre@wcc.govt.nz

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