Arts Pasifika Awards to celebrate excellence and innovation

Arts Pasifika Awards to celebrate excellence and innovation in Pacific Arts

In less than one month some of New Zealand’s most talented Pasifika artists will be celebrated for their outstanding contributions to the richness and diversity of Pacific Arts.

The Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards will be held at Parliament for the first time on October 24. The annual awards, which have celebrated excellence and innovation in Pacific Arts since 1996, showcase the richness and diversity of Pacific Arts in Aotearoa.

The awards will also celebrate the recently launched Pacific Arts Strategy 2018-2023, which will guide Creative New Zealand’s increased investment in Pacific Arts over five years.

“It is appropriate these awards will be held at Parliament this year, given the significant role Pacific Arts play in the cultural landscape of our diverse Pacific nation, and our bold new vision for the future,” says Arts Council of New Zealand member Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban. “The quality of this year’s nominations again demonstrates, through many different artforms, that heritage and contemporary Pacific Arts are thriving in Aotearoa,” she says.

Senior Pacific Artist Award, $20,000

· recognising the contribution of a senior established Pacific artist in maintaining or developing their artform in New Zealand.

Pacific Heritage Arts Award, $7,500

· recognising an artist or cultural group who has made a major contribution to maintaining, reviving or promoting a Pacific heritage artform in New Zealand. This may include language, dance, traditional music, weaving or tatau.

Special Recognition Award, $7,500

· recognising the recipient’s special contribution to the standing, and standard, of Pacific Arts in New Zealand and/or internationally. This award recognises an individual whose work, influence and commitment have raised the standards, expectations and reputation of Pacific Arts and artists. It may be awarded for artistry across any artform or for arts management, and could be for a one-off or ongoing contribution to a local or international success story.

Contemporary Pacific Artist Award, $7,500

· recognising an artist who has demonstrated innovation in their artform. Artists must have a track record and have achieved in their chosen field. Recognition will be given to those who work in a unique artform, or those who continually push the boundaries of their practice.

Emerging Pacific Artist Award, $5,000

· recognising an emerging artist showing promise and potential in their chosen artform. The purpose of this award is to recognise achievement at this developmental stage, ensuring the artist will develop their career in their chosen field.

Iosefa Enari Memorial Award, $5,000

· recognising the contribution of the late Samoan opera singer Iosefa Enari to the arts, in particular his pioneering role in Pacific opera. This award supports the career development of an individual Pacific singer, musician or composer across all classical genres and career stages.

Ngā mihi

ends

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