Arts projects provide fresh views of Asia and its peoples

Arts projects provide fresh views of Asia and its peoples

The Asia New Zealand Foundation is calling for applications for its first round of arts grants for 2017.

The grants support artists, arts organisations and local government agencies to organise activities that help New Zealand audiences gain a better understanding of Asian arts, cultures and peoples.

The first 2017 deadline is 27 March, with others in July and November. The Foundation offers contestable arts grants each worth up to a $2000, and has separate funding for festivals and major events.

The Asia New Zealand Foundation supports more than 40 arts and culture programmes across New Zealand every year. Initiatives already supported by the Foundation in early 2017 include:

· Dunedin’s Blue Oyster Arts Trust – to host Chinese artist Chen Zhou in January
· Auckland Museum – to help stage the photographic exhibition Being Chinese in Aotearoa (open till the end of 2017)
· Wellington’s Asian Events Trust – to host a performing troupe from China for the Wellington Chinese New Year celebrations in February
· The Japan Society of Auckland – to help stage the Japan Day Festival in February
· The New Zealand Dance Company – to host Korean choreographer Kim Jaeduk in February
· Wellington’s Photival Festival – to display works by Beijing photographer Sim Chi Yin at St James Theatre
· Auckland Festival – to help stage the opera The Bone Feeder in March
· Artist Cat Auburn – to travel to Japan for an artist residency in March
· Indie arts festival Chromacon – to host a Japanese game developer as an international guest in April
· The Auckland Writers and Readers Festival – to host writers from Asia for the festival in May
· The Auckland Festival of Photography – to bring photographers from Singapore and Japan to the festival in June
· Wellington’s Sri Lanka Dance Academy – to help stage “Kanikani-Ranga”, blending Maori performing arts and traditional Sri Lankan dance, in July

Asia New Zealand Foundation director of culture Jennifer King says the initiatives help demystify Asia for New Zealand audiences. “We’d like to eventually see Asian art forms and artists become as mainstream to New Zealand audiences as those from Europe and North America.

“We also support projects that highlight the contributions Asian New Zealanders make to strengthening understanding between New Zealand and Asia.”

The arts grants are part of the Foundation’s culture programme, which also supports artist residencies in Asia and tours for New Zealand curators and performing artists.

“The aim is to help New Zealand artists and arts organisations build their networks so they can operate better in an Asia-focused arts market.”

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