Media release
20 February 2008
Encouraging export opportunities for New Zealand literature and performing arts talent
Export opportunities for New Zealand literature and performing arts will be encouraged through Creative New Zealand’s
programme to bring international arts professionals to New Zealand.
Creative New Zealand, working in partnership with the New Zealand International Arts Festival, has organised for
literary professionals and performing arts festival directors and producers from around the world to visit Wellington
this March during the Festival.
Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Wainwright said the connections with the New Zealand literary and
performing arts community made during the Festival will help grow the international market for and profile of New
Zealand literature and performing arts.
“As a result of the same programme in 2006, Henry Rosenbloom of Scribe Publications in Australia acquired Jenny
Pattrick’s first three novels from Random House and Nina Nawalowalo’s production of VULA and Instructions for Modern
Living by Duncan Sarkies and Nic McGowan will be presented by The Barbican in London for seasons this April,” Stephen
Wainwright said.
David Inns, Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand International Arts Festival says, “One of the core objectives of
the Festival is to assist new New Zealand artists to produce new world-class work that we can introduce to international
producers and Festival directors.”
International literary guests are: Gary McKeone, former Literature Director of Arts Council England; Ramona Koval
presenter of ABC’s The Book Show and Brigid Hughes editor of new American literary magazine A Public Space and formerly
of literary magazine Paris Review.
These guests will meet New Zealand writers, publishers and literary agents during the Festival. Ramona Koval and Brigid
Hughes are also taking part in New Zealand Post Writers and Readers Week and Gary McKeone will give literary workshops
on Tuesday 11 March exploring entry into the UK literary market from both a writer’s and a publisher’s perspective.
International performing arts guests include: Norman Armour (PUSH Festival Vancouver), Laura Collier (Traverse Theatre,
Edinburgh), Loughlin Deegan (Dubin Theatre Festival), Paul Fahy (Galway Arts Festival), Sarah Ford (producer from
Paris), Gregory Nash (the Point, Eastleigh), Mary Shields (Assembly Theatre, Edinburgh), Mark Yeoman (Noorderzon
Festival) plus a number of visiting Australian Festival directors and programmers
These performing arts specialists are responsible for booking artists for festivals and venues in Austria, Australia,
Canada,Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. During their time here they will be exposed to a wide
range of local work being showcased at the New Zealand International Arts Festival and a number of other opportunites to
meet New Zealand artists.
A performing arts panel on Monday 3 March, hosted by Creative New Zealand, will also be an opportunity for Gregory Nash,
Loughlin Deegan and Mark Yeoman to discuss how a festival director creates a programme and selects artists with New
Zealand International Arts Festival director Lissa Twomey.
As part of its work to encourage the export of New Zealand literature and performing arts, Creative New Zealand’s
International team also provide grants to New Zealand publishers to attend international book fairs, New Zealand writers
to participate in literary festivals and New Zealand performing arts companies to take part in markets overseas.
For workshop & panel discussion details, contact: international@creativenz.govt.nz, 04 473 0194 or see Creative New Zealand website:
http://www.creativenz.govt.nz/node/5824
ENDS