Artists to Antarctica

Artists have travelled to Antarctica from the earliest explorations, with photographers Herbert Ponting and Frank Hurley perhaps the best known.

New Zealand has supported artists in Antarctica since the beginnings of its involvement in 1956. In the early days of the New Zealand Antarctic programme most artists were either commissioned or NZ Defence Force artists.

In 1996 Antarctica New Zealand recognised that artists and writers could provide long-term benefits by raising public awareness of Antarctica to audiences which otherwise might not be reached.

The Artists to Antarctica Programme was established in partnership with Creative New Zealand. Antarctica New Zealand provides, administrative and logistical support, and Creative New Zealand financial support. The programme encourages New Zealand artists in all disciplines to explore Antarctica through their work, thus increasing New Zealanders' understanding of Antarctica's value and global importance.

Antarctica New Zealand aims to cater, over time, for a wide variety of artistic styles and audiences, reflecting the diversity of Antarctica and New Zealand society. The artists are awarded the title of Antarctic Arts Fellows.  Antarctica New Zealand occasionally invites artists and writers to travel to Antarctica for specific projects. The artists become honorary Antarctic Arts Fellows and travel to Antarctica under the Invitational Artists Programme.

Creative New Zealand is undertaking a review of all their Artist in Residence programmes during 2007. It is anticipated that this review will be completed  in 2008. As a consequence of this review Antarctica New Zealand expects to be in a position to provide further information in anticipation of advertising the joint Creative New Zealand/Antarctica New Zealand Artists to Antarctica Programme sometime in 2008 for the 2009/10 Antarctic summer season.