Contemporary HUM To Close After Almost A Decade Championing Aotearoa Arts Abroad

After nearly ten years of supporting the international visual arts community of Aotearoa New Zealand, Contemporary HUM will come to a close this month.

Since its launch in 2016, Contemporary HUM has been the only initiative of its kind, actively championing and supporting the careers of Aotearoa’s visual arts practitioners working abroad, and publishing in-depth critical discussion not found elsewhere. The decision to close follows an intensive effort to secure a sustainable funding model, which has proven unworkable without a baseline of public funding.

“It is with immense gratitude and great difficulty that we announce the end of the Contemporary HUM project,” reflects Heather Galbraith, Chair of the Contemporary HUM Board of Trustees. “Over the past decade, we have been a hub for critical inquiry, a platform for in-depth publications and podcasts, and a key connector for visual artists on the global stage. We are immensely proud of what our small, dedicated team and our voluntary board, along with our community have achieved together. Our work has been a testament to the exceptional achievements of our artists on the international stage, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us.”

Beyond its digital platform, Contemporary HUM has also initiated strategic partnerships and public events, including panel discussions in Berlin and London, to cultivate debate and visibility; built lasting networks; advised on projects; and brokered opportunities for Aotearoa artists with global partners.

The output of the arts organisation has been significant: over 180 long-form publications, a podcast series, a calendar with more than 1,100 international listings, as well as on-the-ground, live coverage of 8 major art events including documenta, the Sharjah Biennial and the last four editions of the Venice Biennale. This vast body of work was supported by a creative network of over 190 writers and editors, collectively covering over 600 artists working across more than 350 locations.

While the project is concluding, the organisation’s trustees will, through various channels, continue advocating for Aotearoa’s artists and encouraging others in the sector to offer their continued support of international arts activity.

The website will remain online, as a comprehensive record of Aotearoa’s visual artists active in the global arts landscape, as well as a rich resource of quality art writing. It will stay free and available for all to access.

Visit contemporaryhum.com for more information.

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