Ferguson joins festival

A new look to the management of the Auckland Writers Festival (AWF) has attracted a veteran of the literary sector to the organisation.

Catriona Ferguson has been announced as the new Managing Director - bringing with her a CV that includes stints as Director of the Publishers Association of New Zealand, Chief Executive Officer of Read NZ, Literature Officer at Creative NZ (CNZ) and Chair of the Michael King Writers Centre Trust over more than 20 years in the sector. 

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the Auckland Writers Festival whānau. Waituhi o Tāmaki is a living taonga, with a rich history of celebrating fabulous writers and great books from Aotearoa and beyond, as well as shining a light on the biggest and most urgent issues of the day. 

"I can't wait to take on this newly devised co-leadership role alongside the brilliant (Artistic Director) Lyndsey Fineran, and work with the wider AWF team to bring insightful, entertaining and thought-provoking events to Tāmaki Makaurau. And although I'll miss my friends and colleagues from the Publishers Association, happily I will continue to see plenty of them. Roll on May 2024!"

Tautai looking for new direction 

There's a major vacancy in the Pacifica arts sector - after it was quietly announced in a three-sentence statement that Rowena Fuluifaga had resigned as Director of Tautau  - roughly a year after she was confirmed in the role.

The statement offered its gratitude for her work with the Pacific Community, Tautai's funders and the many artists the organisation assists, noting Fuluifaga plans to return to the education sector.

The Big Idea understands there was a difference of opinions between Fuluifaga and a member of the board - and the decision was made last year before being publicly released this month.
 

Dublin delight for NZ writers

Aotearoa authors are in the running for the world’s most valuable annual prize for a work of fiction published in English.

After a banner year in 2023 including winning the coveted (and lucrative) Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards - 2024 has started off with a bang for celebrated author Catherine Chidgey.

Two of her books - The already-award-winning The Axeman’s Carnival and her 2023 release Pet - have been nominated for the 2024 Dublin Literary Award – along with countrywoman Eleanor Catton for her novel Birnam Wood.

The pair are up against 67 other works from 35 countries, with the winner pocketing $176,921 (€100,000) when it's announced on 23 May.

Chidgey declares “I’m thrilled to be longlisted alongside so many wonderful writers – there are some heavy hitters on the list. It’s brilliant timing in terms of bringing attention to both books overseas. I’m very grateful to the nominating libraries."

Getting serious on streaming

New Zealand was included in a joint international statement from the global screen industry - calling for streaming platform regulation and intellectual property protections.

In what was labelled an unprecedented international collaboration, screen-producing organisations from around the world representing tens of thousands of screen industry businesses emphasised the key principles needed to "ensure a sustainable future screen industry through the regulation of powerful digital streaming platforms."

It underlines "This isn't just about regulations; it's about safeguarding the heart and soul of our cultural narratives." 

The NZ Screen Producers Guild - SPADA is a co-signee with international peers AECINE, Animation in Europe, AnimFrance, APCA, APIT, CEPI, CMPA, EPC, FIPCA, FPS, PATE, Produzentenverband, SPA, SPADA, SPI, UPFF+, and USPA.

The statement continues "Our shared commitment is to demonstrate our unity of purpose and commitment towards ensuring the independence and viability of the global screen industry and the preservation of the cultural sovereignty of each nation.
 
"The joint statement acknowledges that responding to the changes brought to screen business dynamics by digital streaming platforms is both a global challenge and a local issue. Governments worldwide are taking steps to adapt and impose new regulations, recognising changed industry dynamics and the urgent need to act to protect local stories, creative work and the intellectual property generated.
 
"The statement underscores the cultural and economic importance of local storytelling, recognising this as a strategic national asset to be cherished and protected. The commitment extends to ensuring that local audiences have access to a diverse range of newly created local stories across all platforms.
 
"Moreover, the joint statement stresses the mutual cultural responsibility of digital platforms operating in local markets, emphasising the need for them to make fair and proportional contributions to the creation of new local content in the markets in which they receive revenue."

SPADA president Irene Gardiner tweeted "Great to have a global push on this. The streamers are doing such harm to local production around the world. The cultural and economic impact is profound."

WIFT of success

Some heavy-hitters in the screen and film community have been included in the Women in Film and Television New Zealand (WIFT NZ) finalists for 29 February's awards ceremony in Auckland. 

A judging panel of Jill Macnab (Chair), Alyx Duncan, Nicole Horan, Amanda Davison, Kathleen Anderson, Jasmin McSweeney, Vea Mafile’o and Kath Graham have selected nominees in ten categories.

The three finalists for Outstanding Achievement in Film have an eclectic feel - with Alex Reed up for Mister Organ, Desray Armstrong for Juniper and Paula Whetu Jones for Whina.

The acclaimed Chelsea Winstanley is up for the Entrepreneurship Award for her work with Matewa Media, Ahi Collective and This Too Shall Pass, up against Nanette Miles (Toybox) and Sharlene George (The Sweetshop).

Alice Shearman, Billie Lusk and Jane Anderson are in the running for the Unsung Heroine of the NZ Screen Industry, while the Woman to Watch Award sees recognition for Abba-Rose Vaiaoga-Ioasa, Angela Cudd, Mia-Marama Henry-Teirney and Morgan Leigh Stewart. 

TV stalwarts Mihingarangi Forbes and Miriama Kamo are listed alongside film producer Libby Hakaraia for the Te Reo Māori Champion Award. Hakaraia is already celebrating - just named the recipient of the 2024 Merata Mita Fellowship by Sundance Institute.

The WIFT awards have been running since 2004 and have previously honoured the likes of Niki Caro, Robyn Malcolm, Rachel Lang, Janine Morrell-Gunn, Stacey Morrison and Rose Matafeo.

ZONTA finalists named

Another women-focused award has been active as well.

The Zonta Ashburton Female Art Awards (ZAFAA) have announced their 60 finalists - a platform designed to raise the status of female visual artists and to acknowledge the contribution women make to the greater art discourse. 

34 artists qualify for the Premier Award and 26 are eligible for the Young Generation Award for female artists between the ages of 16-20 - and will be part of the exhibition that opens at Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum on 1 March, with the awards handed out that evening. It coincides with the opening of a solo exhibition by Jo Burzynska, the Premier Award winner for ZAFAA24.

Those in the running for the Premier Award are:
Coral Broughton, Sarah Brown, Kara Burrowes, Kate Cairns, Amy Couling, Wonhee Deuart, Lucy Dolan, Virginia Ferguson, Polly Gilroy, Katie Hayles, Anna Heasley, Kim Hennessy, Ella Hickford, Mikyung Jang, Ina Johann, Vicki Mangan, Kathryn McCully, Suzanne Joy McDonnell, Sandra McLintock, Estefania Mondaca, Allette Ockhuysen, Lisa Patterson, Marie Porter, Hazel Rae, Hope River, Cheriene Singer, Elfi Spiewack, Rebecca Stewart, Gemma Syme, Madeleine Thompson, Rachel Thornton, S Van Tuinen, Susan Waterson, Jenny Wilson. 

Martin to the podium

Ingrid Martin has been announced as the 2024 New Zealand Assistant Conductor in Residence in February - a collaborative role between the Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and Dunedin Symphony Orchestra (DSO).

Martin - who takes over the post from 2023 resident Nathaniel Griffiths in February - says, “I’m excited to play my part in creating relevant, meaningful music for New Zealand’s audiences and to get to know the country’s rich cultural heritage. The opportunity to observe, rehearse and conduct professional orchestras, under the mentorship of Giordano Bellincampi, is invaluable. I can’t wait to get started!”

Auckland Philharmonia’s Chief Executive, Diana Weir, says, “This year-long residency programme provides a valuable opportunity for emerging Australasian conductors to build greater depth of podium experience and launch their professional careers."

The selection process for the residency involved shortlisted applicants completing a live audition with the Auckland Philharmonia. The selection panel included representatives from all three participating orchestras, as well as conductor James Judd, who contributed his expertise as an independent assessor.

Auckland Philharmonia’s Music Director, Giordano Bellincampi says that “Ingrid stood out with her talent and passion for conducting. It was a very impressive audition, and we are excited to have such a rising star step into this role.”

All aboard for curatorial internship

Emerging art curators are being offered the chance to grow their skills - and get paid for it - with Te Tuhi accepting applications for its internship at Parnell Project Space, on the platform at Auckland's Parnell Train Station (open until 30 January).

The full-time curatorial internship runs between April 2024 and March 2025 and is described as "an opportunity for someone with a demonstrable commitment to developing their curatorial practice to gain significant work experience in the sector" - something considered too few and far between.

The aim is to provide a significant paid opportunity for an early-career curator to learn and develop their practice through experimentation and hands-on practice over a sustained period. The intern has the opportunity to work in an environment supported by an established team, while developing their individual curatorial voice in a space that stands independent from Te Tuhi’s main programming.

Font and centre

Font Tauranga has revealed the first contributor selected for its public collection.

Peata Larkin (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) was “overwhelmed” to be awarded the Red Square commission.

“We have friends and whānau that live in Tauranga, so we visit often. When I was young, we made heaps of day trips over as Rotorua is not that far away from here. It is an honour to be chosen to create an artwork that celebrates Toi Māori and Tauranga’s natural and historical attributes. 

"I am hoping that it will entice people to walk/run/ride through it, to congregate within and around it, and to contemplate what it means to them and others.”

Peata’s design, which will be revealed in full when the work is installed ahead of Matariki 2024, acknowledges Tauranga Moana’s place as a safe anchorage.

Font’s independent curatorial advisory panel of Karl Chitham, Julie Paama-Pengally, and Serena Bentley said “Peata Larkin’s proposal will be a landmark work for the city centre. It responds sensitively to the local environment while making an impact and reflects the culturally rich histories and whakapapa of the site. We think this will be one of those works that locals will love and visitors will seek out.”

Co-chair Vanessa Hamm said Font owed its start to enthusiastic support from Tauranga City Council and TECT, which had agreed to fund the first artwork with a grant of $150,000 each. The $300,000 project budget covers all costs from consent to construction, including materials, manufacture, and artist's fee.