28 artists and arts organisations from across the motu will deliver large-scale creative works about the Dawn Raids. Supported projects will take place in both large cities and regional communities and will span a variety of artforms including performing arts, music, documentary, digital storytelling, and exhibition development.
The initiative is an opportunity for Pacific artists to capture and reflect on lived experiences of the Dawn Raids. It looks to increase historical resources for future generations and enable a deeper public understanding from the perspective of the communities most impacted.
Among the recipients are Nina Nawalowalo – The Conch Charitable Trust & Neil Ieremia- Signature Choir. Makerita Urale, Senior Manager, Pacific Arts, at Creative New Zealand, says she was thrilled to see such a high level of interest in this special funding initiative.
“The arts help us to express our sense of place and history in Aotearoa. These fantastic projects celebrate the resilience of Pasifika peoples.
“We received many high-quality proposals we were unable to support, so it was a very difficult decision,” says Makerita.
“At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to upholding the mana of Pacific artists and their stories. We hope it will support a community-led healing and restorative process through Pasifika storytelling.”
