New national body for Maori visual art

Maori art educators and curators are to form a new national body to advance the development of contemporary Maori visual arts.New national body for Maori visual art

Maori art educators and curators are to form a new national body to advance the development of contemporary Maori visual arts.The formation of the group follows two hui this year organised and hosted by Te Waka Toi, the Maori arts board of Creative New Zealand. About 30 educators and curators from around the country attended each hui.

Spokesperson for the group Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, a writer, academic and Creative New Zealand council member, said participants at the hui shared a belief that working together will result in a better public profile for Maori visual arts and have positive flow on effects for both teachers and learners.

Ideas the group discussed included developing a Maori artists' directory; developing strategies to promote and profile Maori artists nationally and internationally; publishing academic papers; disseminating information about Maori arts and culture; and residencies for artists.

"It is an exciting time for Maori visual arts with unprecedented interest both in New Zealand and internationally," Dr Te Awekotuku said.

"Curators and educators in the field want to ensure that we can utilise the opportunities that that interest provides us with to ensure a strong future for Maori visual arts."

Dr Te Awekotuku said the group aimed to meet at least once a year and would establish other networks for communications.

For further information:
Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku
Tel: 07 838 4466 or 025 200 1010