Villa Antipode
Our mission
Villa Antipode exists to strengthen cultural and artistic connections between France and New Zealand. We are committed to creating artistic bridges that celebrates and share the unique talents, traditions, and creative expertise of both nations.
Our artistic residencies aim to deepen artistic practices, build lasting, and showcase the unique landscapes and cultural richness of Aotearoa new Zealand to French artists and vice versa.
Origins
Since 2002, the French embassy in New Zealand has been developing and strengthening artistic relations between France and New Zealand.
The Villa Antipode project is part of ‘La Fabrique des Résidences’ programme, implemented by the Institut Français. This programme helps to develop the French cultural network internationally by deploying artists' residencies abroad.
Since 2018, the programme has created 40 residency programmes in 29 countries, benefiting more than 150 artists.
Villa Antipode was made possible thanks to the support of the Institut Français, the Alliance Française of Palmerston North, and the French Embassy in New Zealand with its various local partners.
Residencies
Each residence allows artists to dive into their practice, providing the time and space to fully immerse themselves in the environment and invest in the relathionships they forge.
The Randell Cottage writer's residence, our oldest residence, welcomes an accomplished French author in Wellington each year.
Te Whare Hēra visual art residence offers an exciting opportunity to create and exhibit your work.
Te Ataata arts-science residence is our Auckland-based programme that gives you the chance to work alongside university peers on interdisciplinary art-science research.
The Cinematic Arts Miramar - CAM residence was born out of a desire to showcase cinematic know-how on both sides of the globe.
« Je garde de cette résidence un sentiment doux et étrange de "présent continu" : comme si je continuais à y être même en n'y étant plus. Je ressens une vraie gratitude. »
Caroline Laurent, Randell Cottage
« On garde de Te Whare Hēra beaucoup de souvenirs et beaucoup de magnifiques rencontres qui nous sont restées en mémoire. »
Louise Hervé et Clovis Maillet, Te Whare Hēra
«La résidence Te Ataata a vraiment été un accélérateur de création qui m'a permis de me débloquer sur plusieurs points au niveau du projet que je réalisais.»
Julie Stephen Chheng, Te Ataata
« Ce que je retiens le plus de cette expérience ce sont les rencontres et les échanges, le contexte de travail et l'expérience dans la nature.»
Ana Maria de Jesus, CAM