NZ to participate in Venice Biennale 2009

MEDIA RELEASE

Monday, 17 December 2007

New Zealand to participate in Venice Biennale 2009

New Zealand will have an official presence in 2009 at the Venice Biennale, the world’s oldest and most prestigious international forum for contemporary visual art.

Creative New Zealand Chair, Alastair Carruthers, said the 2009 event will mark the fourth time that Creative New Zealand has hosted a New Zealand presence at the Venice Biennale.

“The six-month long Venice Biennale is the cornerstone of most countries’ strategies to present visual arts internationally. As we continue to develop a long-term international strategy for New Zealand arts, Venice will be a key event,” he said.

Creative New Zealand will also be exploring the establishment of a Biennale Foundation to help ensure New Zealand’s ongoing participation at the prestigious event.

“A permanent New Zealand presence at Venice has widespread support among artists and arts patrons. But that is a huge commitment, and we will need to work together to make it happen.

“I’m hopeful that a Foundation will help to realise the 2009 Biennale and that we will have a lasting partnership to ensure the success of future events. A Foundation structure may take time to establish, so New Zealand’s 2009 entry will be led by Creative New Zealand.

“Over the following months we will work with representatives of the wider arts community on how a Biennale Foundation can be established. This work is a direct response to arts community feedback and Creative New Zealand’s own analysis about how best to secure New Zealand’s future participation at the Venice Biennale,” he said.

Creative New Zealand is currently seeking expressions of interest from artist/curator teams of considerable experience and reputation to develop the 2009 Venice Biennale exhibition. Interested artist/curator teams should contact Creative New Zealand for an expression of interest prospectus that outlines the scope of the project, the selection criteria and selection process.

Expressions of interest must be received by Creative New Zealand (or postmarked) no later than Thursday 14 February 2008. To register and receive an Expressions of Interest document, please contact: Undine Marshfield, Creative New Zealand PO Box 3806, Wellington Tel: 04 498 0725 Fax: 04 498 0720, e-mail: venice@creativenz.govt.nz

www.nzatvenice.com

ENDS

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