The Pacific Arts Alliance

The Pacific Arts Committee of Creative New Zealand is seeking nominations for the Arts Pasifika Awards 2008, which celebrate Pacific artists across a range of artforms and career stages. The closing date for nominations is 5pm, Friday 27 June 2008.

The recipients of the Arts Pasifika Awards 2008 will be announced at a special ceremony in Auckland in November. Pele Walker, Chair of the Pacific Arts Committee, encourages all New Zealanders to nominate Pacific artists whom they feel deserve recognition.

The Arts Pasifika Awards 2008 offer six awards. These are:

Senior Pacific Artists' Award ($7000) recognises the contribution of a senior Pacific artist in maintaining or developing his or her artform in New Zealand. Last year's recipient was Auckland based producer, director and writer Justine Simei-Barton (Samoa).

Pacific Heritage Arts Award ($5000) recognises an individual artist or cultural group who has made a major contribution to maintaining, reviving or promoting a Pacific heritage artform in New Zealand. Last year's recipient was Auckland-based academic, writer, poet and performer Dr Okusitino Mahina (Tonga).

Pacific Innovation and Excellence Award ($5000) recognises an established Pacific artist or group who has demonstrated innovation and excellence in their artform. Last year's recipient was Wellington based theatre director Nina Nawalowalo (Fiji).

Salamander Gallery Award for Emerging Pacific Visual Artists ($3000) recognises an emerging Pacific artist showing promise in the field of visual arts. Last year's recipient was Auckland based visual artist, Sale Pepe (Samoa).

Iosefa Enari Memorial Award ($3000) recognises the contribution of the late Iosefa Enari to the arts and in particular his pioneering role in Pacific opera. This study/travel award supports the development of Pacific opera singers. Last year's recipient was London-based opera singer Sani Muliaumaseali'i (Samoa).

Emerging Pacific Artists' Award ($3000) recognises an emerging Pacific artist or group showing promise in their chosen artform. Last year's recipient was Wellington based performing arts troop WakaUra Dance Group.

For nomination forms please contact Tarisi Vunidilo, Programme Advisor on 09 354 4863 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ). You can also download the nomination forms from the resources section of Creative New Zealand's website (www.creativenz.govt.nz).

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