ARTSpeak Pasifika 2010 - forum for Pacific Arts

ARTSpeak Pasifika 2010 - National forum for Pacific Arts Development

Creative New Zealand is inviting Pasifika artists from throughout New Zealand to attend a national Pacific arts development forum - ARTSpeak Pasifika - in Auckland on 25-26 June 2010.

The forum aims to bring together Pasifika artists working across the disciplines of visual arts, performing arts, literature, film and television, music, heritage arts and also in festivals so they can share their experiences and skills.

“Having such a broad range of Pasifika artists in one place is an opportunity for the sector to work together to build on the success of Pacific arts over the last decade and plan for the future,” says Creative New Zealand’s Pacific Arts Committee Chair Pele Walker.

“Many artists will be meeting for the first time so it will also be catalyst for developing new networks so they can support each other or work collaboratively.”

Keynote speaker will be Albert Wendt, internationally recognised as a leader in the development of New Zealand and Pacific literature, and an Emeritus Professor at the University of Auckland.

The forum will include panel discussions on:
•making a living as a fulltime artist
•how to develop work for international markets
•how can Pacific arts be supported to develop
•what do future Pasifika artists need to succeed

Participants will also be invited to actively take part in workshops to identify the barriers they face in pursuing a career and discuss how these might be overcome.

“As well as opportunity for artists to share ideas and be inspired, Creative New Zealand will outline how it can support Pacific projects through specific funding or by facilitating opportunities to develop their skills through initiatives like ARTSpeak Pasifika,” says Pele.

“The last national conference for Pasifika artists was held more than a decade ago and since that time many of the then emerging artists have become established as leaders in their artistic field.

“They have a huge amount of knowledge and emerging artists can learn much from their experience and we can look to support our future leaders in the Pacific arts.”

The cost of taking part in the two-day forum is $30 and the number of participants is limited to 150. A limited number of travel subsidies will be available from Creative New Zealand to assist those travelling from outside the Auckland region.

To find more information about the ARTSpeak Pasifika or for a registration form to attend email pacificarts@creativenz.govt.nz. The closing date for registration is Friday 18 June 2010.

ENDS

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