The Artswire was unfashionably long last week, so this week I’m skipping the preamble. Here’s the news!
💥News on the wire
First Māori designer elected to Alliance Graphique Internationale
Graphic designer Tyrone Ohia (Ngāti Pukenga, Ngāi te Rangi) has joined the 543-member rank of the world’s leading designers in being elected to the Alliance Graphique Internationale. Entry is gained through nomination by AGI members and the approval of an international jury of members. Tyrone Ohia is the Creative Director and Founder of Extended Whānau, a boutique studio in Tāmaki Makaurau that specialises in brand identity and often work with arts organisations – think Wairau Māori Art Gallery, Toi Tauranga Art Gallery, and the Toi Tū Toi Ora exhibition at Auckland Art Gallery.
Cultural diplomacy funding round open, with strategy reset
The Ministry for Culture & Heritage’s Cultural Diplomacy International Programme has opened this year’s first round for expressions of interest. There’s $3 million available (roughly the same as previous years) for projects between 2026 and 2029, and there will be further rounds to access that funding. There are no bottom or top limits on funding for individual projects, meaning the scope of potential scale is huge. Still, they will be keeping in mind the return on investment.
The brand-new strategic plan for the fund responds to the Amplify creative and cultural sector strategy announced last year. It has three priority areas: Provide economic benefits for New Zealand’s cultural and creative sectors; Enhance our broader diplomatic, economic, trade and tourism interests; Raise New Zealand's profile in key regions (Asia, North America, Europe, and the Pacific). “I think the Minister is really conscious of the benefit that cultural diplomacy can play for New Zealand's reputation and our wider interests,” says Kartini Havell, Manager Operational Policy at the Ministry for Culture & Heritage. She says assessors will be looking for a broad range of projects across different artforms, and that “we're really excited to see what we're going to get through”. There’s an online enquiry form for those who might need help shaping their application.
Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers invited to low-key mixer
PANNZ and Taha Hotu Deaf and Disabled Artists Initiative are inviting Deaf and disabled artists and arts workers to join a low-key mixer at Duetz Bar in the Auckland Town Hall, on Tuesday 3 March at 2:30pm. There’s step-free access and NZSL interpreters will be provided. Pop in and say hi, have a cuppa, stay for the hour or come and go. There’s no need to share anything about impairments and attendees are welcome to engage as much or as little as they like. Stace and Katie from Arts Access Aotearoa will be there to get the conversation going.
Marlon Williams planning a “cup of tea and a lie down”
But first, he has shows in Australia through March, the UK and Europe in April, and New Zealand in May. In a video message to fans on Instagram he told fans “I love doing all this stuff… hanging out with people and making things, but I am sick of not being bored, and I’m a bit tired to be honest”. He says he’s been touring since he left high school, and he is “looking forward to a little break”.
APRA celebrates 100 years
A century ago, six music publishers gathered in Sydney and formed the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), to establish the fundamental principle that the songwriters and composers of Australia and New Zealand deserve to be paid when their work is broadcast and performed. APRA has grown into Australasia’s largest music rights management organisation, APRA AMCOS, which now represents over 128,000 music creators.
“From the licensing of radio broadcasts in the 1920s to protecting creators’ rights in the AI era, APRA has evolved alongside the music it serves,” says APRA AMCOS CEO, Dean Ormston. “This centenary isn’t just about looking back – it’s about celebrating the enduring value of songwriting to our culture, identity and our two nations.”
They’ve put together a wonderful timeline tracking changes in the culture and structures of the music industry.
Circa Theatre turns 50
The Wellington theatre was founded in 1976 by a breakaway group of actors and theatre practitioners who decided a new way of producing theatre was required for New Zealand. They created a new ‘less is more’ model, and a pared-back theatre space was built.
“Those old British dinosaurs occupying the New Zealand professional theatre landscape [of the time] built large administrations, extravagant sets and costumes, and gave focus, as it were, to the cover rather than the book,” Susan Wilson, founding member, is quoted as saying on their website. “We set our course away from gigantic self-perpetuating monoliths and worked to pool our resources. Our goal was to dazzle the audience with the sheer excellence of the performance – to present theatre of the highest possible standard – where economy and ingenuity took the place of money. We aimed to keep costs for sets, costumes, lights and management to a minimum so that the rewards could be equally shared by artists and practitioners.”
The co-operative way of operating they pioneered has been hugely influential in keeping theatre going in New Zealand. To celebrate its 50th birthday, D’ Things N Such is showing now.
Tickets to First Scene’s garage sale available now
If you’re in Auckland and need to add to your costume or prop stash, First Scene’s annual garage sale is the place to pick up a few bargains. There will be thousands of items for sale from productions and from culling their hire stock. Tickets are $10 + booking fee, with the sale on 15 March at 334 Rosebank Road, Avondale.
Six NZ artists confirmed for UK conference and showcase, The Great Escape
Results from The New Zealand Music Commission’s first round of Outward Sound this year has funding going to Hemi Hemingway, ratbag, Office Dog, and Ringlets to attend The Great Escape, plus 15 other recipients. Vera Allen is being supported to join Yumi Zouma on their European tour, Bic Runga is being supported for an Australian tour in support of her newest release, Red Sunset, and more. Round two is closing soon.
New art gallery, Nine Fathom Deep, opens in Pōneke
Nine Fathom Deep is a new contemporary art gallery at 52 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro, Wellington opening on Friday 20 February. Susanna Bauer is the director and is positioning the gallery as an alternative to traditional artist representation, and prioritising relationships built on trust. The space has a generous floor plan and is equipped to accommodate ambitious, large-scale and installation work. It will support conceptually driven work through a programme of solo and small-group exhibitions. The opening exhibition is Soundings, a group show with fifteen artists who explore the origins and resonances of the gallery’s name.
CreativeMornings are back in Auckland
Almost two years since their last event, CreativeMornings have announced that they are back. Anjana Iyer is passing on the hosting baton. She says “CreativeMornings gave me my people when I needed them most”. This year, Adorate Mizero and Marc Conaco are “thrilled” to co-host. The first event is next Friday 27 February, with filmmaker Todd Karehana at Studio One Toi Tū. As always, it's free, but you must register.
Wellington Animation Film Festival returning next month
From 19–22 to March at the Roxy Cinema the Wellington Animation Film Festival will showcase films from France, Japan, China, South Korea, Canada, Belgium, Luxembourg, the UK, and Aotearoa. Chair Marie Tricart says “it’s a place to experience the world's best animation that Aotearoa doesn't always have access to. Asia is a strong, vibrant influence, reflecting the growing, creative animation power across the region”.
In addition to screenings, Industry Dayz will explore how creative ideas become viable projects, the development of trust and collaboration across teams, and pathways for sustainable production in animation, VFX, and creative technology. Sessions will also be available online!
Screenrights’ $300,000 funding pool and focus announced
Applications are open for the 2026 Cultural Fund, with the focus “Learning Through Story”. The fund is aimed at projects that foster the creation and appreciation of screen content in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Tom Alegounarias, Chair of the Cultural Fund Working Group says, “this year’s focus highlights our commitment to empowering those who are pushing boundaries in knowledge sharing and learner engagement through screen stories – both within the screen industry and across broader educational sectors”.
If you’re not confident about grant writing, Screenrights offer free expert consultations – it’s been popular in the past, and allows applicants to refine their submissions with professional guidance. Applications close 8 April.
👔 Human resources
Tendai Mutambu joins Enjoy as director
Enjoy Contemporary Art Space announced the appointment of their next Kaihautū Director late last week. Tendai Mutambu is a Zimbabwean-New Zealander curator and writer most recently based in Spain and the UK. He has a particular interest in contemporary artists’ moving image, and an impressive list of local and international institutions on his CV including European Media Arts Festival, CIRCUIT Artist Moving Image, Spike Island, Artspace Aotearoa and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. His writing has appeared in Ocula Magazine, Art Monthly UK, Frieze, Elephant, MoMA Magazine, and ArtReview. He will begin at Enjoy in March, taking over from Jess Clifford who has served as interim director since the departure of Daniel John Corbett Sanders (DJCS) in August 2025.
Verb welcomes Gabrielle Vincent and Kate McDonald as co-directors
After a one-year festival hiatus, Verb is back with a festival in the capital from 11–13 September this year. The organisation has announced the appointment of Gabrielle Vincent and Kate McDonald to the roles of co-directors. They will lead the Verb Readers & Writers Festival, LitCrawl Wellington (14 November), and special one-off events.
Gabrielle Vincent will now have two literary festival jobs, as she is also the Family and Schools Programmer at Auckland Writers Festival. Thespians may know her from a notable stint at Basement Theatre from 2015–2019 as Programming Director. Kate McDonald has had a long association with Verb, initially as a volunteer and then in paid roles managing venues and coordinating the volunteers for LitCrawl. Most recently McDonald spent four years managing the events at Unity Books Wellington and is beloved among the book community. “I am passionate about nurturing creativity, supporting new writers and building inclusive, welcoming spaces for artists and audiences,” she says.
Rachael Penman leaves Doc Edge after five years
The General Manager and Festival Producer, Rachael Penman, has decided to move on to a new role (not yet disclosed) within the arts industry. “This kaupapa and the people behind it have meant a great deal to me,” says Rachael. In turn the festival has extended a heartfelt thanks, “We will miss you, Rachael, and wish you every success in your next endeavour.” They are currently recruiting someone to somewhat take her place as Event Producer.
👀 Further reading
This month’s Tahuna Te Ahi gives platform to Roimata Smail. The human rights lawyer, educator, and bestselling author explains how she has used a beautiful book to teach people about Te Tiriti.
Last Friday actor and producer Kate Low remembered the first time she cried, for real, on stage in a Shameless Plug.
February’s Toi Ōtautahi Dispatch has dropped with opportunities for funding, and news about Lyttelton Arts Factory, Toi Auaha, and a new writing and discussion group.
Sam Brooks has got behind the scenes on a “mini festival” that sits within Pride. He explains what waacking is, and why it's got its own lane.
Cassandra Woodhouse has been touring Prima Facie around the motu for almost three years. She shares the impact it’s had on her, and on audiences, in a Shameless Plug.
Tomorrow, Claudia Long considers the use of obsolete processes in graphic design as a way to reintroduce meaning alongside friction and labour in a piece for The National Grid. There's wonderful images of paste-ups from a 1960s counter-culture magazine, Earwig, too!
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Let me know what you think about the Artswire and our other editorial coverage at editor@thebigidea.co.nz
Have a great start to the year of the Fire Horse!
