[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE]
10 March 2009
ARTSPACE 2009 Curatorial Internship Awarded
ARTSPACE is pleased to announce Robyn Pickens as the recipient of our 2009 Curatorial Internship. Robyn was awarded this
coveted learning position
out of an impressive range of talented applicants.
2009 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Robyn; she recently attended a
curatorial workshop in Armenia and Istanbul Turkey and will represent New Zealand as an attendant at Venice and is
embarking on the Curatorial
Internship at ARTSPACE.
She comes to ARTSPACE with a solid academic and contemporary arts
background. She has been actively involved in the Christchurch arts
community; as the Gallery manager of 64zero3, the Acting Director of The
Physics Room and the Coordinator of the High St Project. She graduated with
an M.A. in Art History from the University of Canterbury. Her writing has
been published in Art New Zealand and Art News.
Robyn Pickens starts her internship on the 10th of March and says:
³I¹m thrilled to be selected for the ARTSPACE Curatorial Internship, it¹s a
privilege and a great opportunity. ARTSPACE is a critically engaged institution with the active potential to explore key
ideas in contemporary practice from the role of the institution to the relationship of art as a tool for foregrounding
social and political issues. I look forward to working with a wide range of practitioners at the local, national and
international levels.²
The Curatorial Internship, established in 2004, offers budding curators a
unique opportunity to learn in a mentored relationship with the Director of
one of New Zealand¹s leading contemporary art galleries. The programme is a
vital instrument in growing experience and professionalism of New Zealand¹s
contemporary art practitioners. By giving young people the chance to add
depth to their knowledge and skills we aim to give them a firm grounding so
they are in a position to take on senior roles in New Zealand¹s visual arts
within five years.
Previous interns are on their way to this goal through continuing their
curatorial practice overseas by attending the prestigious De Appel
Curatorial Training Programme in Amsterdam, taking on curator positions at
contemporary art spaces in Europe, working for the German Pavilion in the
52nd Venice Biennale and working on independent curatorial projects.
The ARTSPACE Curatorial Intern Programme is made possible through the
support of Creative New Zealand and private patronage.
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