Creative New Zealand is reminding artists and curators that they have until February 14 to prepare and send in their expressions of interest for the Venice Biennale 2009.

"We are seeking expressions from artist/curator teams of considerable experience and reputation to develop the 2009 Venice Biennale exhibition," said Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Wainwright.

The Venice Biennale is arguably the most important and prestigious event on the international contemporary visual arts calendar. It is a forum for the display of recent developments in contemporary art practice.Creative New Zealand is reminding artists and curators that they have until February 14 to prepare and send in their expressions of interest for the Venice Biennale 2009.

"We are seeking expressions from artist/curator teams of considerable experience and reputation to develop the 2009 Venice Biennale exhibition," said Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Wainwright.

The Venice Biennale is arguably the most important and prestigious event on the international contemporary visual arts calendar. It is a forum for the display of recent developments in contemporary art practice.The selection for artist-curator teams is a two-stage process. For stage one, a short outline (up to two pages) of the project is required. For stage two, applicants on the shortlist will then be asked to prepare a detailed exhibition proposal.

"We anticipate that final selection will be made in mid 2008," Stephen Wainwright said.

Artist/curator teams should contact Creative New Zealand for an expression of interest prospectus that outlines the scope of the project, the selection criteria and process.

Expressions of interest must be received by Creative New Zealand (or postmarked) no later than Thursday 14 February 2008.

Thousands of the world's most influential artists, curators, critics, dealers and collectors visit the Biennale.

Creative New Zealand Chair, Alastair Carruthers, said the 2009 event would mark the fourth time that Creative New Zealand has hosted a New Zealand presence at the Venice Biennale.

"The six-month long Venice Biennale is the cornerstone of most countries' strategies to present visual arts internationally. As we continue to develop a long-term international strategy for New Zealand arts, Venice will be a key event," he said.

Creative New Zealand will also be exploring the establishment of a Biennale Foundation to help ensure New Zealand's ongoing participation at the prestigious event.

"A permanent New Zealand presence at Venice has widespread support among artists and arts patrons. But that is a huge commitment, and we will need to work together to make it happen.

"I'm hopeful that a Foundation will help to realise the 2009 Biennale and that we will have a lasting partnership to ensure the success of future events. A Foundation structure may take time to establish, so New Zealand's 2009 entry will be led by Creative New Zealand.

"Over the following months we will work with representatives of the wider arts community on how a Biennale Foundation can be established. This work is a direct response to arts community feedback and Creative New Zealand's own analysis about how best to secure New Zealand's future participation at the Venice Biennale," he said.

The Venice Biennale was established in 1895, when the first International Art Exhibition was organized, and now attracts over 300,000 visitors at the Art Exhibition.

In the 1930s new festivals were born: Music, Cinema, and Theatre (the Venice Film Festival in 1932 was the first film festival ever organized). In 1980 the first Intl. Architecture Exhibition took place, and in 1999 Dance made its debut at the Venice Biennale.

More information: To register and receive an Expressions of Interest document, please contact: Undine Marshfield, Creative New Zealand, PO Box 3806, Wellington Tel: 04 498 0725 Fax: 04 498 0720 Email: venice@creativenz.govt.nz. Website: NZ at Venice

Venice Biennale

21/01/08