Our Parehuia Artists in Residence for 2024 are: Anoushka Akel, Benjamin Work and George Watson.  

Residencies are based on a three-month term with three residencies offered per year.

The residency is open to artists working across the visual arts disciplines with proven talent, who have completed a body of work acknowledged for its artistic excellence and who are ready to take a step forward in their practice.

At the present time, residency opportunities are available to New Zealanders or New Zealand residents. 

During their residency, artists have the use of the two-bedroom apartment and studio, receive strategic support from the Trust and are paid a stipend.

Aims

The McCahon House residency aims to give artists an opportunity to develop their work through a supportive programme while living in the environment that impacted so profoundly on the work of Colin McCahon.

Selection Process

The selection panel comprises five colleagues from the visual arts community - a selection of gallery directors, curators, critics, writers, academics, senior practitioners and collectors, and will have one representative from the McCahon House Trust. The panel operates independently of the Trust.

The 2025 Selection Panel:

Karl Chitham, Director, Dowse Art Museum
Chloe Cull, Pouarataki Curator Māori, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
Andy Leleisi’uao, Parehuia alumni
Kim Smith, McCahon House Board Trustee
Zara Stanhope, Ringatohu/ Director Cultural Experiences, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre & Puke Ariki

Conditions of Award

Residencies are open to outstanding artists who, in the opinion of the panel, meet the following criteria:

• Are New Zealanders or New Zealand residents
• Have a sufficient body of work which clearly demonstrates a significant level of talent.
• Their practice has reached a point where the opportunity to undertake the residency would advance their professional practice in a measurable way.
• Have a history of exhibiting which has resulted in critical evaluation and acclaim.
• Are able to reside and work full-time at the McCahon House site during the term of the residency.
• Other specific criteria may be set prior to each call for applications and will be promoted at the time of advertising the opportunity.

The future potential of artists will be a major factor in the panel's choice. The selectors must believe that the recipients of the residency have the ability to reach national and international standing and that the opportunity afforded by this residency will contribute to that potential.

Artists need not necessarily have attended a tertiary institution or had any formal training.

The residency requires artists to take part in a programme of events held during their residency and contribute to video documentation of their time at Parehuia for general and educational use.

An essay will be commissioned by the McCahon House Trust, the writer for which will be chosen in discussion between the Artist and the Trust.

Please see the application form for further information and a full list of obligations and benefits.