Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: Tautai
Launched in 2013, Tautai’s Oceania Internship programme has had a longstanding purpose to develop and strengthen the capabilities of emerging Pasifika arts managers. Funded by Creative New Zealand, the 20-week internships provide professional development opportunities within arts management and administration. Recipients are placed with arts organisations nationwide to gain hands-on experience and build networks throughout Aotearoa’s creative sector.
The five recipients of the 2021 internships are curator Paulina Bentley, placed at Auckland War Memorial Museum (Pacific Collections); interdisciplinary artist Sophia Coghini, at Enjoy Contemporary Art Space; actress and aspiring filmmaker Lahleina Feaunati, at Script to Screen; multidisciplinary artist Jasmine Tuiā, at Te Tuhi; and actress and writer Rosalind Tui, at Auckland War Memorial Museum (Māori and Pacific Development).
Tautai works with interns to prepare them for placements and provides ongoing support and training for the duration of the internship. During the placement, support is also provided by senior arts practitioners under a tuakana and teina mentorship model. This approach emphasises the importance of connectedness and collaboration within the Pacific arts sector. This year’s tuakana mentors are Ioana Gordon-Smith, Curator Māori Pacific at Pātaka Art + Museum, andmultidisciplinary creative and performing artist Leki Jackson-Bourke.
To date, 75% of Tautai’s internship alumni have secured employment within the arts sector. Courtney Sina Meredith, Director of Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust, says the Trust is immensely proud of the successes of the long-running internship programme.
“Tautai’s purpose is to champion Pacific creativity – and a big part of that is building capacity and nurturing growth within our sector.”
“We are so proud when we see Tautai interns develop and succeed in the arts, our alumni are changing the world! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this year’s cohort of incredible niu creatives with a passion for arts and for their communities,” says Courtney.
Tautai’s internship alumni include Paul Lisi, Arts Practice Director, Pacific, Creative New Zealand; Grace Taylor, Toloa Manager, Ministry for Pacific Peoples; Sonya Withers, Lecturer, School of Design, Massey University; Amiria Puia-Taylor, Director and Co-Founder, The 312 Hub; Ufitia Sagapolutele, Choreographer, Dancer and Creative Director of Tulou Collective; and Haanz Fa’avae-Jackson, Performing Artist and Co-Founder of Konfident Klothing.
“Great art feeds a family for generations.” – Tautai Founding Patron, Fatu Feu’u
Located in Tamaki Makaurau, Aotearoa New Zealand, Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust is a charitable trust dedicated to championing Pacific arts and artists. Tautai was formed in the 1980s when leading Samoan artist Fatu Feu’u and his peers came together with a shared aspiration to support and promote Pacific visual artists. In the years since, Tautai has grown to become Aotearoa’s premiere Pacific arts organisation with a multidisciplinary focus. The Trust brings artists and the wider Tautai aiga together through a range of events and activities locally and globally.
Proudly supported by Creative New Zealand and Foundation North, Tautai is able to provide unique opportunities for the Oceanic arts community. Situated in the heart of Auckland’s CBD on Karangahape Road, Tautai’s newly expanded premises now includes a gallery space dedicated to showcasing the works of contemporary Pacific creatives all year round. In addition, Tautai’s full programme of activities and events include live-streamed artist talks and performances, a brand-new international strategy, workshops, internships and partnership initiatives that encourage growth in the sector.
Tautai draws on the Samoan word for navigator and illustrates the organisation’s commitment to guiding Moana arts in Aotearoa New Zealand.
