Creative New Zealand says the 50th Anniversary of Samoan Independence will be a focus when choosing the Pacific artist who will take up this years Apia residency.
The three month residency, in partnership with the National University of Samoa, is open to established Pacific Island artists who are resident in New Zealand
Creative NZ's Pacific Arts senior advisor, Makerita Urale, says they want to see the chosen artist focus on the history between New Zealand and Samoa.
"The artist we're looking for can be a writer, a visual artist, come from music or literature, poetry, we're looking for a project that would really be exciting in terms of for this year, 2012, as Samoa celebrates its 50th anniversary and relationship with New Zealand it can really be a work that can come out from that history. It's really exciting that Samoa's coming of age."
Makerita Urale says there is often collaboration between the resident artist and the local community.
Previous recipients include actor and director Nathaniel Lees, playwright Fiona Collins and the late curator Jim Vivieaere.
