BY WHAKATŪ RESIDENCY 2026
The residency reflects the Nelson Arts Festival's commitment to nurturing local artists, strengthening connections between artists and communities, and contributing to a vibrant and diverse creative ecology across Te Tauihu and Aotearoa.
What is Offered
The selected artist or artist-led project will receive:
- Development funding of up to NZD $2,500 + GST
- Access to Artshub Project Space during the residency period
- Opportunities for mentorship, guidance, and feedback from experienced arts practitioners and industry professionals
- Support from the Nelson Arts Festival team
- Opportunities to connect with the wider creative community
- A public platform to share their process, ideas, or work as part of Nelson Arts Festival
Eligibility
Applicants must live in Te Tauihu or whakapapa to Te Tauihu.
Applications are welcome from artists at all career stages and across all artforms.
Residency Focus
The residency supports projects that demonstrate artistic merit, curiosity, and potential for development.
Projects may involve:
- Research and development
- Experimentation and testing
- Community engagement
- Creative investigation
- Cross-disciplinary practice
- Development of new work
- Exploration of ideas, stories, or cultural narratives connected to Te Tauihu
- Optional open studio artist talk.
A finished work is not required as an outcome of the residency.
Key Dates
Applications Close: Friday 28 August 2026
Successful Applicant Notified: Monday 21 September 2026
Residency Period: 1 October - 1 November 2026
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the online Airtable Application form, link here.
By Friday 28 August 2026
Applicants will be asked to provide:
- Project description
- Information about the artist(s) involved
- Proposed residency outcomes and activities
- Budget information
- Any supporting material requested
Previous Recipients:
2022 By Whakatū Residency Recipients: Alvaro Moreno and Te Oro Hā Artist Collective
2023 By Whakatū Residency Recipients: Kat Beyle and Keren Oertly.
2024 By Whakatū Residency Recipients: Hariata Herekore and Chloe Loftus
Questions
We welcome projects across all artforms and disciplines. Projects may involve research, experimentation, community engagement, development of new work, or exploration of ideas connected to Te Tauihu.
No. The residency prioritises creative development and exploration. A finished outcome is not required.
Yes. Applications are welcome from individual artists, collectives, and artist-led collaborations.
The funding is intended to support the development of the proposed project and may contribute towards artist fees, materials, research, travel, collaboration costs, or other project-related expenses.
The residency includes access to Artshub Project Space, mentorship and feedback opportunities, and support from the Nelson Arts Festival team throughout the residency period.
If you have other questions about the residency, application process or accessibility requirements, please contact: