An opportunity for established artists to undertake a 6-week residency at the Oceania Centre at The University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji.
On this page:
- Overview
- Key dates
- Who can apply
- What is offered
- How to apply
- How your application is assessed
- Who to talk to
Overview
This residency is a tri-nations partnership between Creative New Zealand, Creative Australia and the Oceania Centre at The University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji. The pilot programme will select one artist from each country (Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and Fiji) to take part in a shared six-week residency at the Oceania Centre. The residency supports established Pacific creatives to develop their arts practice and to grow relationships and networks across Te Moana Nui a Kiwa.
Selected artists will develop new work themed around Climate Change, a priority under Creative New Zealand's Pacific Arts Strategy and a pressing security issue for the peoples of the Pacific Islands.
Amount
$9,000 + travel, accom & project costs
Artforms
Key dates
Expressions of interest
Open: 30 April 2026
Close: 1.00 PM (New Zealand time) on Thursday, 4 June 2026
Results due: 22 June 2026
Residency period
From 1 October to 12 November 2026
Online Drop-in Info/Talanoa sessions
7 May 2026, 1:00 pm PM (New Zealand time)
14 May 2026, 1:00 PM (New Zealand time)
21 May 2026, 1:00 PM (New Zealand time)
28 May 2026, 1:00 PM (New Zealand time)
Who can apply
Established artists and practitioners from New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji can apply. Specific eligibility criteria apply for each country.
Eligibility criteria for New Zealand artists
To apply, you must:
- be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- be an established New Zealand-based artist or arts practitioner with at least 10 years arts experience in Aotearoa New Zealand, and must have exhibited, presented or published their work nationally or internationally
- be of Pacific Islands heritage whose work explores Pasifika identity, culture or history
- have a specific creative project proposal aligned to the Climate Change theme to work on during the residency
- be able to present and engage professionally and with mana with overseas contacts and representatives
- agree to uphold the Mana Pasifika, cultural values and reputation of Creative New Zealand, Creative Australia and the Oceania Centre at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji
- not have an overdue Creative New Zealand grant report or in current default of any Creative New Zealand funding
Eligibility criteria for Australian artists
To apply, you must:
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- be an established artist or arts practitioner with at least 10 years arts experience, and must have exhibited, presented or published your work nationally or internationally
- be committed to a long-term engagement with the Pacific region
- have a specific creative project proposal aligned to the Climate Change theme to work on during the residency
- be able to present and engage professionally and with mana with overseas contacts and representatives
- not have an overdue Creative Australia grant report or owe money to Creative Australia
Eligibility criteria for Fiji artists
To apply, you must:
- be a Fiji citizen or permanent resident
- be an established Fiji-based artist or arts practitioner with at least 10 years arts experience in Fiji and must have exhibited, presented or published their work nationally, regionally or internationally
- be an artist whose work explores their relationship to their Pasifika identity, culture or history
- have a specific creative project proposal aligned to the Climate Change theme to work on during the residency
- be able to present and engage professionally and with mana with overseas contacts and representatives
- acknowledge and strive to uphold the values and reputation of the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies at The University of the South Pacific (USP)
- must not be in current default of any funding from the Oceania Centre or The University of the South Pacific
What is offered
The Residency supports established artists to live and develop their artistic practise in Suva, Fiji. The residency dates are fixed, from 1 October to 12 November 2026.
The Residency provides:
- a $9,000NZD artist fee
- return travel to Suva, Fiji, from New Zealand or Australia
- accommodation and per diems whilst on the residency
- $4,000NZD for project costs (e.g. insurance, materials, venue and equipment hire, promotion, ground transport, internet, local mentorship)
- networking and engagement opportunities
If successful, you are required to take out travel insurance for the duration of your residency.
The studio is suitable for a single artist or a couple. Guests may be able to be accommodated, but please get in touch with us to discuss your specific requirements before applying.
The grant is not intended to cover lost income or rent at home, and applicants need to consider their capacity to undertake the residency before applying.
The grant is a contribution from Creative New Zealand and Creative Australia toward your travel (including airfares and travel insurance) and living costs during the residency period. Applicants are expected to research the cost of living in the residency location they are travelling to. You may need to supplement the grant with your own funds depending on your projected costs for the residency period.
Successful applicants will be provided with detailed information ahead of their residency, along with introductions to the residency providers who will assist artists with making local connections. Our staff can provide further advice and contacts, as requested. Artists are also expected to have their own resources, contacts and project plans for the residency.
How to apply
To apply, you need to complete and submit the Expression of Interest (EOI) form by 1.00 PM (New Zealand time) on Thursday, 4 June 2026. Eligible artists and practitioners can submit one EOI.
Expression of Interest Form - Oceania Pacific Arts Residency 2026
Note: You cannot upload files to the EOI form or save your changes and return to the form later. You may prefer to prepare your responses in another document first, then copy and paste them into the EOI form.
What to include in your EOI
Your contact details and artist bio
You can include links to websites, examples of your work online or awards you have received.
Your idea
Briefly describe your idea and explain how it connects to:
- the residency theme of Climate Change
- Creative New Zealand's Pacific Arts Strategy 2023-28
- Creative Australia's Strategy 2024-2028
- your intended local impact, engagement, and workshops in Suva, Fiji.
Consider the following questions:
- What do you want to do during this residency, and why is being based in Fiji significant to you?
- How will this build on previous work, and why is it important that you do this now?
- How will this allow you to take risks, develop new ideas and contribute to the growth of your arts practice?
Maximum 4,000 characters.
You do not need to include a budget or a timetable of your activities.
How your application is assessed
Assessment Criteria
Applications will be considered according to the assessment criteria below:
Artistic merit
- Suitability of your practice to the residency program and its artistic environment/offer
- Quality of work previously produced, and public and peer response to your work
Viability
- Suitability of your proposal to the residency program
- The skills and artistic ability of your collaborators (if applicable) and their relevance to the proposed activity
- Realistic and achievable planning, resource use and evaluation
Impact on career
- How the proposed activity strengthens your artistic practice
- The relevance and timeliness of the proposed activity
- How the proposed activity strengthens your capacity as an arts professional, particularly in relation to international development and collaboration
Who assesses your application
Your application is assessed by a panel of representatives from Creative New Zealand, Creative Australia, Oceania Centre and peer expert artists.
Decision-making
The assessment panel creates a shortlist of recommended recipients for Creative New Zealand to select from.
Creative New Zealand's Senior Manager, Pacific Arts, in consultation with Creative Australia and the Oceania Centre, approves the final selection.
Who to talk to
Email pacificarts@creativenz.govt.nz or international@creativeaustralia.gov.au
Online Drop-in Info/Talanoa sessions
You can register to attend one or more of the online drop-in info/talanoa sessions. Talanoa is a common Pacific term representing a process of inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue used to build relationships, share stories and create understanding.
7 May 2026, 1:00 PM (New Zealand time)
14 May 2026, 1:00 PM (New Zealand time)
21 May 2026, 1:00 PM (New Zealand time)
28 May 2026, 1:00 PM (New Zealand time)
Register to attend a Drop-in Info/Talanoa session
Accessibility support
If you identify as Deaf or disabled, or experience disability or an impairment and require access support, please let us know what your access requirements are. Additional access requirements during the residency may be accommodated upon request.