Artists spoilt for choice with Asia residencies

Artists spoilt for choice with Asia residencies

September 13, 2011

Professional artists wishing to gain first-hand experience of the dynamic contemporary art scenes in Asia are now invited to apply for the Asia New Zealand Foundation's 2012 artist-in-residence exchanges.

Asia:NZ has expanded its residency programme for 2012, adding two exciting new opportunities at 1 Shanthi Road studio and gallery in Bangalore, India, and at the Three Shadows Photography Art Centre in Beijing, China.

Artists are also invited to apply for Asia:NZ and Creative New Zealand's ongoing artist-in-residence opportunities at Changdong Art Studio in Seoul, Korea; S-AiR Sapporo in Hokkaido, Japan; and the Taipei Artist Village in Taiwan. The sixth residency offered by Asia:NZ is at the Institute of Provocation in Beijing, China.

The successful candidates will work at these prestigious organisations for a minimum of two months.

Asia:NZ's Director Culture Jennifer King says the Foundation's culture programme is placing increasing emphasis on professional development opportunities for artists.

"Nothing matches the on-the-ground experiences in Asia that residencies provide. They offer fresh perspectives and provide all sorts of opportunities for collaboration."

Ms King says the 1 Shanthi Road residency in Bangalore offers diverse cultural inspirations in a bustling cosmopolitan city.

Beijing's Three Shadows Photography Art Centre is China's first art space solely dedicated to photography and video art. Ms King says: "Both New Zealand and China are very strong in photography and we're looking forward to seeing the work that results from this residency."

Filmmaker and choreographer Alyx Duncan spent eight weeks at Beijing's Institute of Provocation, developing her feature film The Red House. The residency allowed the film to grow and enabled her to make lasting collaborations and relationships with other artists and filmmakers, both in Beijing and further afield. "I now have a base and community in Beijing so returning there to continue the film and create new projects is much more feasible."

The application deadline for the artist-in residence opportunities in India, Korea, Taiwan and China is Friday, 28 October 2011. The deadline for the applications for the Japan exchange is Monday, 14 November 2011.

For more information on the six residencies and how to apply, visit: http://www.asianz.org.nz/our-work/arts-and-community/arts-and-community- opportunities/artist-residence-details

Artists, creators and performers wishing to apply for funding assistance for self-arranged residencies in Asia can apply for support through Asia:NZ's arts grants. The deadline for the last grant round in 2011 is Friday, 25 November: http://www.asianz.org.nz/opportunities/arts-and-community

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