One lucky local artist to go to Shanghai next year

NEWS RELEASE
16 October 2008

One lucky local artist to go to Shanghai next year

Wellington artists need to get their thinking caps on if they want to be in with a chance to work in Shanghai next September.

Wellington City Council and the Asia New Zealand Foundation will fund one lucky artist to spend three months in Shanghai working as artist in residence with other artists in a not-for-profit artist space and gallery called Island6.

The Council’s Arts and Culture Portfolio Leader, Councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer, says the Wellington Asia Residency Exchange has been successful so far in bringing Asian artists to the Capital.

“We have had three artists staying at Bolton Street Cottage over the last year ­– artists from Beijing, Hong Kong and we have someone from Osaka living there at the moment,” says Cr Mercer.

“They have all produced and exhibited great work while they were here, and they have also made links with Wellington’s art community. It is really exciting that someone from here will experience the same in Shanghai next year.”

The ideal applicant would have experience in collaborating with other artists, have exhibited or taken up a residency before and also have visited Asia in the past – this will help minimise effects of culture shock.

The chosen artist will receive funding for travel, accommodation, living costs, some exhibition materials, access to studios and workshop space. For more information about Island6, visit www.island6.org
For information and details on how to apply, contact the Council’s Arts Advisor on 803 8711 or email frances.speer@wcc.govt.nz

The closing date for applications is 30 November and short-listed applicants will be interviewed in December. It is expected that a decision will be made in early 2009.

ENDS

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