2017 R.A.K.Mason Writers' Fellowship
With thanks to a generous sponsor from the Wairarapa community, New Zealand Pacific Studio (NZPS) invites applications for a three week residency at its multi-cultural artists’ residency centre in Mount Bruce, northern Wairarapa.
The purpose of this RAK Mason Fellowship is to encourage creativity, to explore the different literary forms or genres and their potential, and to honour one of New Zealand’s foremost writers, RAK Mason (1905-1971), with his intense energy, commitment to literature, and his interest in the ways different literary forms inform each other.
NZPS welcomes applications from writers of all cultures. Applicants can be working in any way and do not have to relate to RAK Mason in terms of style or content.
As part of the supported residency, the Fellow is encouraged to offer an activity for the community, such as a reading or workshop.
The 2016 Fellow would work in the garden-facing ‘Mason Room’ of New Zealand Pacific Studio.
Selection will be based on the nature and strength of an applicant’s proposed project and the degree to which both the Fellow and the local community will benefit from it, although the focus remains on supporting the writer by providing the necessary time and space for sustained work. Applicants can be at any stage in their creative ‘careers.’
Previous RAK Mason Fellows: Annabel Wilson (2016), Madeleine Slavick (2015) and Tracy Farr (2014).
The 2016 RAK Mason Fellow will be in residence for three weeks at the historic Normandell House in the Wairarapa. Accommodation is free during this time (it is normally charged at a weekly rate of $350 per week plus $25 for local transportation). The successful Fellow would need to cover their travel costs to and from the Wairarapa and buy their own food while in residence. In addition, they should bring necessary equipment and supplies with them, or liaise with NZPS about purchasing them once in residence.
The Fellowship is available to an individual. An applicant is welcome to propose a project of more than three weeks in duration, but accommodation and transportation costs beyond the sponsored period would have to be met by the applicant.
NZPS may host an Open Studio Day during the residency period, at which the fellows – and all artists in residence – are asked to give a short presentation/performance to visitors.
Fellows may choose to donate a book/chapbook to NZPS or to the sponsor.
NZPS is a registered charity.
How to apply:
Please e-mail NZPS with the following in ONE DOCUMENT (eg Word or PDF) – please keep the file size under 1mb:
1. Your biography.
2. A description of your proposed project, its objectives and inspirations, why it is important to you, and any specific requirements you may have.
3. When you would like to be in residence (up to 31 December 2017). Dates of residency are open to negotiation. If your project requires you to be in residence at a specific time, please make this clear in your application.
4. A statement of how the RAK Mason Fellowship would benefit you and extend your practice at this time.
5. A sample of your work (no more than 1,000 words).
6. The contact details of two Referees whom we will contact if you are shortlisted.
Apply by e-mail to Community Programme Manager, NZPS, info (at) artistresidency.org.nz
Applications close midnight 31 January 2016, NZ time.
Key skills sought:
Commitment to a personal creative practice; a desire and ability to connect with a wider audience and community; open-mindedness to be able to live and work with others at the multi-cultural residency centre.
Contact details:
Community Programme Manager, New Zealand Pacific Studio
info @ artistresidency.org.nz
https://www.facebook.com/MtBruceNZ/
Posted: Sat 24 Dec 2016