North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Artists to go wild in parks project
The unique Kiwi environment will be the muse for a new nationwide collaborative project between Department of Conservation (DOC) and Creative New Zealand.
Wild Creations is designed to bring creative thinking to conservation projects, raising the profile of endangered species and creative art at the same time.
Minister of Conservation and the Minister for Arts Maggie Barry declared the programme open at Fort Takapuna, an historic DOC site next to Narrow Neck Beach, on May 19.
Three artist-in-residence spots are now up for grabs, to create conservation-themed art from November 2017 to June 2018.
Barry says she had the ‘‘perfect mix’’ of portfolio for the project.
‘‘Conservation is at the heart of being a New Zealander,’’ Barry says.
‘‘Wild Creations will offer a range of opportunities to connect New Zealand artists with the people, stories and challenges of our distinctive natural culture.
‘‘Not only that, but the work they produce will help promote a wider understanding and awareness of conservation issues with New Zealanders.’’ Creative New Zealand council chairman, Michael Moynahan, says the organisation is delighted to be involved in this collaboration.
‘‘It is an opportunity for people in the artistic world to get more involved in conservation,’’ Moynahan says.
Creative New Zealand will invest up to $36,000 to support the three successful applicants.
DOC will not directly fund the project; however, it will be supporting artists with accommodation, transport and access to experts.
Wild Creations is a revitalised version of an earlier collaboration, which ran from 2002 till 2012.
The new programme offers a much wider range of opportunities for artists.
The successful applicant can experience working alongside iwi, and getting involved in projects involving threatened species, island predators and monitoring marine mammals.
Artists have until September 1 to apply to take part in the project.
Go to Creative New Zealand’s website creativenz.govt.nz/findfunding/funds/wild-creations to fill out an application and for more information.