26 May 2006
Pacific Arts Committee seeks nominations
for Arts Pasifika Awards 2006
The Pacific Arts Committee of Creative New Zealand is seeking nominations for the Arts Pasifika Awards 2006, which
celebrate Pacific artists across a range of artforms and career stages. The closing date for nominations is 5pm, Friday
30 June 2006.
The recipients of the Arts Pasifika Awards 2006 will be announced at a special ceremony in Wellington in November.
Marilyn Kohlhase, Chair of the Pacific Arts Committee, encourages all New Zealanders to nominate Pacific artists whom
they feel deserve recognition.
“Pacific arts make a valuable contribution to New Zealand’s international reputation, and the richness and diversity of
the arts in this country,” Ms Kohlhase says. “The annual Arts Pasifika Awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate
that contribution.”
The Arts Pasifika Awards 2006 offer six awards. These are:
- Senior Pacific Artists’ Award ($7000) recognises the contribution of a senior Pacific artist in maintaining or
developing his or her artform in New Zealand. Last year’s recipient was Auckland musician Opetaia Foa’i
(Tokelau/Tuvalu/Samoa)
- Pacific Heritage Arts Award ($5000) recognises an individual artist or cultural group who has made a major
contribution to maintaining, reviving or promoting a Pacific heritage artform in New Zealand. Last year’s recipient was
Auckland traditional master artist Mafi Malanga XIII (Tonga)
- Pacific Innovation and Excellence Award ($5000) recognises an established Pacific artist or group who has demonstrated
innovation and excellence in their artform. Last year’s recipient was Auckland multi-media artist John Ioane (Samoa)
- Salamander Gallery Award for Emerging Pacific Visual Artists ($3000) recognises an emerging Pacific artist showing
promise in the field of visual arts. Last year’s recipient was Auckland sculptor Maui ‘Ofamo’oni (Tonga)
- Iosefa Enari Memorial Award ($3000) recognises the contribution of the late Iosefa Enari to the arts and in particular
his pioneering role in Pacific opera. This study/travel award supports the development of Pacific opera singers. Last
year’s recipient was Invercargill opera singer Ramonda Te Maiharoa-Taleni (Samoa, Waitaha)
- Emerging Pacific Artists’ Award ($3000) recognises an emerging Pacific artist or group showing promise in their chosen
artform. Last year’s recipient was Wellington writer Miria George (Rarotonga, Atiu-Cook Islands).
For nomination forms please contact Anton Carter (Tel: 04-498 0729 Email: antonc@creativenz.govt.nz). You can also
download the nomination forms from the resources section of Creative New Zealand’s website (www.creativenz.govt.nz).
ENDS