Te Whare Hera
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A visual arts residency
Established in 2014 by the Embassy of France in New Zealand and Massey University's College of Creative Arts, this visual arts residency brings contemporary French artists to research, develop and produce new and innovative contemporary art projects.
Practitioners are provided with a welcoming and dynamic platform for producing innovative, high-quality contemporary work while fostering connections and opportunities for ongoing exchange and collaboration.


Context
Wellington, New Zealand's creative capital, offers a vibrant cultural scene with numerous art galleries, the Aotearoa New Zealand festival of the Arts, the World of Wearable Art awards, CubaDupa Street Festival, and excellent public and research libraries.
Te Whare Hēra, a live/work studio suite, is located on Wellington's waterfront, just steps from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and the City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi.
What to expect
Te Whare Hēra visual art residency traditionnally runs for an eight-week to ten-week period at the beginning of each calendar year.
The resident is provided with the time and space to examine, map out, experiment, make connections with the community, exchange ideas, and collaborate.
The resident is granted a live/work studio suite, access to Massey University's facilities, technical support and a production budget. A living allowance and return flights form the resident's home base are also provided.

Profile
Applications are open to contemporary visual artists and curators with a recognised artistic practice, an innovative project inspired by New Zealand's context, and a desire to forge new international connections. Fluency in English and French citizenship, or being based in France for at least five years, are also required.
Applications are reviewed based upon the quality of the proposed project and past works as well as the applicant's public speaking skills and abilities to engage with the community.
The next round of applications will open in March 2025.
Partners
The Whare Hēra is a partnership between Wellington City Council, the Embassy of France in New Zealand and Massey University.
Te Whare Hēra - the sailing house
to be pronunced [te fare hera]


Laureates
Meet the laureates of Te Whare Hēra residency.
« Je garde un très beau souvenir du temps passé à Wellington. Les conditions de travail et de vie ainsi que le temps alloué permettant de développer une recherche ont été particulièrement bénéfiques et ont durablement infusé ma pratique. »
Ève Gabriel Chabanon
« D'évidence les deux mois passés à Wellington m'ont permis d'enrichir ma connaissance culturelle du pays, de developper un réseau professionnel, de cerner mais aussi de contextualiser plus mon sujet de recherche et ses enjeux. »
Yasmine Attoumane
«Cette expérience m'a modifiée et a modifié ma pratique et mon regard, bien au-delà d'une expérience de résidence artistique.»
Soraya Rhofir
«Te Whare Hēra est une des meilleures résidences que j’ai fait! Les conditions étaient uniques, extraordinaires, la relation entre Massey University, la résidence et l’Ambassade étaient fluides et fructueuses.»
Etienne de France
Applications are open until 15th May 2025.
Jury members for Te Whare Hēra Residency 2025

Pippa
SANDERSON
Eve
ARMSTRONG
Eric
SOULIER
Huhana
SMITH
Emma
FEBVRE-RICHARDS
Katie
TAYLOR-DUKE
For more information on art in Aotearoa New Zealand
Tāmata Toiere aims to provide comprehensive information about waiata and haka (Māori song, chant, and dance).
Food for thought on cultural appropriation.