A new home and artist studio in the spirit of the old McCahon House

Applications are now open for 2024. Deadline for submissions is 4pm Friday 30 June.

Named Parehuia by local kaumatua Eru Thompson in 2008, the McCahon House Artists’ Residency was built by The McCahon House Trust in 2006. The Residency is a purpose designed, award winning, two-bedroom accommodation and studio alongside the old McCahon House in French Bay, Titirangi, for the purposes of hosting artists' residencies. 

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Named Parehuia by local kaumatua Eru Thompson in 2008, the McCahon House Artists’ Residency was built by The McCahon House Trust in 2006. The Residency is a purpose designed, award winning, two-bedroom accommodation and studio alongside the old McCahon House in French Bay, Titirangi, for the purposes of hosting artists' residencies. 

Our artists in residence for 2023 are: Michael Stevenson, Owen Connors and Neke Moa.  

Residencies are based on a three-month term but from time to time may be awarded for a longer period.

Preference will be given to artists 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 only. 

The residency is open to practitioners in the disciplines of visual art including but not limited to; painting, photography (digital and traditional), moving image, mixed media, drawing, sculpture, and installation. 

During their residency, artists have the use of the two-bedroom apartment and studio, receive administrative 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 people from 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 selection panel for the 2023 residencies are Andy Leleisi’uao, Chloe Cull, Peter Robinson, Amy Weng, and Kim Smith as the McCahon House Trust representative.

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 does not require the artist to undertake specific teaching or exhibition obligations. However, these options will be available if they support the primary intention of the residency.