Connecting Creativity and Conservation - Wild Creations returns in 2009

Artists will again get the chance to go bush in some of New Zealand’s most beautiful locations, thanks to Creative New Zealand and the Department of Conservation’s Wild Creations artist residency programme. 2009 applications for Wild Creations open on June 1.

After a one-year break, Wild Creations is back with new locations and a new focus. “We are thrilled to be bringing back Wild Creations in 2009” said DOC’s Wild Creations Coordinator Emma Hartley. “It’s a unique opportunity for artists to gain inspiration from our natural and historic heritage, in some of our most iconic landscapes.”

Department of Conservation Director General Al Morrison said Wild Creations is a wonderful way of keeping New Zealanders in touch with nature and the things that define us as a proud and distinct nation. "Wild Creations artists push the boundaries, to challenge our awareness and understanding of the natural environment and force us to see familiar things in new ways.They are important vehicles in our advocacy for conservation."

The Wild Creations artist residency programme aims to foster links between conservation and the arts by providing artists with the space and freedom to create work inspired by New Zealand’s unique places, people, stories and natural environments.

Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Wainwright said that the goal of Wild Creations was to link conservation and creativity. “Wild Creations was created to develop the skills and capabilities of emerging and established artists. It is for those who have an interest in the conservation of New Zealand’s unique landscapes and want to explore that connection through their artistic practice.”

“Wild Creations was one of Creative New Zealand’s most sought after residencies between 2003 and 2007” said Felicity Birch, Creative New Zealand Programme Adviser. “There has been a great deal of the interest from the arts sector in the return of these residencies, and we are looking forward to 2009’s applications.”

The six-week residencies are open to practising artists in any artform or cultural tradition, and are chosen from one of seven significant conservation sites throughout New Zealand. The Department of Conservation hosts the artists during their residencies and Creative New Zealand provides a stipend of $5000, plus up to $2000 for travel and materials, to each artist. Artists selected for the residencies must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

Previous recipients of Wild Creations residencies are:

Jo Randerson - 2003

Christine Hellyar - 2003

Zoe Roland - 2003

Jordan Reyne - 2004

Fiona Pardington - 2004

Rebekah Wild - 2004

Alison Isadora - 2005

Waikarere Gregory - 2005

Tabatha Forbes - 2005

Monique Jansen - 2006

Naomi Lamb - 2006

Darren Glass - 2006

Tanya Marriot - 2007

Tracy Duncan - 2007

Louise Potiki Bryant- 2007