Making and creating in the open air

Makers and creators have one week remaining to get their applications in for the 2012 regional parks’ artist in residency programme – applications close on Friday 17 February.

The park-based residency is for visual artists, as well as other creative people including filmmakers, writers, poets, composers and choreographers. The selected artist will live and work ‘in nature’ and get to experience some of the Auckland region’s wilderness areas ‘after hours and in all weathers’.

Auckland Council regional parks residency coordinator, Michelle Edge, says this is an opportunity for an artist to immerse themselves in a new place.

“Previous residents have used the whole park, or portions of it, as a kind of open air studio. Some have found the change of scenery and pace liberating and the intimate and new knowledge of a new place can reframe their work,” she says.

The artist selected for the 2012 residency can choose between Tapapakanga and Awhitu Regional Parks for their sojourn. Accommodation in a park house is provided and an artist’s fee is also offered to contribute to material and equipment costs. The residency is for eight weeks between October and December 2012.

The artist effectively feeds back their experience through sharing, showing or performing their work for the public at the end of their residency.

“We are committed to telling some great stories creatively and through art that is inspired by our regional parks,” says Councillor Sandra Coney, Chair of the Auckland Council’s Parks, Recreation and Heritage Committee. “The residency is one way of achieving this,” she says.

The closing date for applications is 17 February 2012. (No late applications accepted).

Application forms and detailed information on the residency is available at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/arts (click on Call for Proposals) or phone Michelle Edge 09 301 7203.