CREATIVE NEW ZEALAND – McCAHON HOUSE PACIFIC VISUAL ARTS RESIDENCY
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN TO 2 JULY
The Creative New Zealand – McCahon House Pacific Visual Arts Residency will be awarded to one outstanding mid-career to established Pasifika visual arts/craft object artist who can show an interest in or provide international market potential in their work. Growing global Pacific arts is a strategic priority action under the Creative New Zealand Pacific Arts Strategy with a goal to see more Pacific artists, companies, collectives and organisations achieve more global and international opportunities, with improved skills to navigate overseas markets and audiences.
The Creative New Zealand – McCahon House Pacific Visual Arts Residency will be awarded to one outstanding mid-career to established Pasifika visual arts/craft object artist who can show an interest in or provide international market potential in their work. Growing global Pacific arts is a strategic priority action under the Creative New Zealand Pacific Arts Strategy with a goal to see more Pacific artists, companies, collectives and organisations achieve more global and international opportunities, with improved skills to navigate overseas markets and audiences.
The three-month residency is a pilot initiative between Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Pacific Arts Strategy and McCahon House Trust to offer a Pacific Visual Arts Residency in 2026.
The Residency dates are 27 April – 19 July 2026.
This initiative aligns with Creative New Zealand's Pacific Arts Strategy 2023–2028 areas:
* TAGATA - Stronger arts. Dynamic arts. Pacific arts are bold and enterprising. Pasifika artists and arts practitioners are resourced to develop their practice and deliver outstanding work.
* VA - Stronger arts sector. Resilient arts sector. Pacific arts are powerfully connected through resilient ecosystems of creative communities. An innovative and networked Pacific arts environment exists, so that Pacific arts are strengthened for future success.
* MOANA - Greater public engagement with the arts. Diversity and reach. Pacific arts inspire and influence people, everywhere. Meaningful connections, across Aotearoa, Oceania and globally, ensure that Pacific arts are further enriched.
Application and Selection Process
The residency is open to mid-career to established artists of Pacific Islands heritage.
The selection will be carried out by a panel convened and chaired by a Creative New Zealand Pacific staff member, McCahon House Representative and up to three strategic stakeholders.
Application Criteria
- Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of New Zealand at the time of entry.
- Applicants must be an artist of Pacific Islands heritage. The Pacific Islands refers to the islands and nations of Oceania, which include the islands and nations of Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia.
- Applicants must be a mid-career to established visual artist who can show an interest/international market potential in their work.
- Applicants must be able to reside and work full-time at Parehuia during the term of the residency.
- Applicants who are in current default of any Creative New Zealand funding will not be eligible to apply.
The Residency
The residency includes:
- 12 weeks accommodation in a fully furnished architecturally designed two-bedroom house and studio along with a monthly stipend.
- Support from the McCahon House team and Trust for the duration of your residency.
- Bespoke mentoring and advice from accomplished arts colleagues with experience and knowledge of international engagement, markets and other opportunities. Depending on the artist selected, this may include facilitating introductions, research travel and commissioning in-depth essays by a writer.
- A series of bespoke events. The residency requires artists to take part in a programme of events held during their residency. This programme is designed in collaboration with the artist.
- An education video produced during your time at Parehuia available for use in schools.
Please see the Application Form for further information and a full list of benefits and obligations.