CREATIVE NEW ZEALAND – McCAHON HOUSE PACIFIC VISUAL ARTS RESIDENCY
2026 ARTIST ANNOUNCED
The Creative New Zealand – McCahon House Pacific Visual Arts Residency is awarded to one outstanding Pasifika artist who shows an interest in developing their international potential. The three-month residency is a pilot initiative between McCahon House Trust and Creative New Zealand’s Pacific Arts team, aligning with Creative New Zealand’s Pacific Arts Strategy 2023–2028 areas.
The Creative New Zealand – McCahon House Pacific Visual Arts Residency is awarded to one outstanding Pasifika artist who shows an interest in developing their international potential. The three-month residency is a pilot initiative between McCahon House Trust and Creative New Zealand’s Pacific Arts team, aligning with Creative New Zealand’s Pacific Arts Strategy 2023–2028 areas.
Congratulations to Linda Va’aelua who has been named the inaugural artist for 2026.
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.
During their residency period, the artist will live and work in Parehuia; a purpose-built house with an attached studio, alongside and in relationship with the McCahon House Museum. Bespoke support is provided along with opportunities to build a community of supporters that stay with them throughout their career, including mentoring and advice from accomplished arts colleagues with experience and knowledge of international engagement, markets and other opportunities. The residency was established to recognise McCahon’s commitment to teaching and mentoring.
Application and Selection Process
The residency is open to mid-career to established artists of Pacific Islands heritage.
The selection was carried out by a panel convened and chaired by a Creative New Zealand Pacific staff member Kawika Aipa - Manager, Pacific Arts Enterprise, CNZ, Ruha Fifita - Curatorial Assistant, Pacific Art, QAGOMA and Pacific Curator at Large, Len Lye Centre, Govett Brewster Art Gallery, Tanu Gago – Parehuia alumni, Hanahiva Rose - Curator Contemporary Art, Te Papa and Jude Chambers – Executive Director, McCahon House.