Self-Funded Residency 2025

What is a Self-Funded Residency at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre?

Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre’s self-funded residencies provide opportunities for those with their own income or funding to take up residence at The Arts Centre for a period of between 2 and 10 weeks. We welcome individuals and collaborators able to meet the costs of a residency through self-funding or through, for example, the direct support of academic institutions, public funders (eg Creative New Zealand), sponsors or foundations. The Arts Centre is able to provide a letter of support for funding applications.

Self-funded residencies can take place between February and November. Artists, cultural practitioners, writers, and arts researchers at any stage in their career are welcome to apply. Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre also welcomes self-funded small group residencies, including cultural organisations, companies, and collectives.

What does Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre provide?

We provide accessible accommodation facilities only. There may be access to other venues/studios at discounted rates subject to availability but note the residency does not give a guarantee of a working space apart from desk space in the bedrooms.

Accommodation is provided on a self-catering basis, with a private bedroom and bathroom, plus shared kitchen and living areas. There are four king bedrooms which can be split into twins. Rooms are spacious and the site offers private, shaded space for work and play.

Our residencies can offer time to focus on research and development to inspire a new body of work or develop an existing project. They can nurture the growth of seedling ideas by giving the space to unselfconsciously experiment and play without expectation or obligation.

In addition to using this time to explore new ideas and develop work, residents are encouraged to take every opportunity to develop relationships with other creatives based at The Arts Centre and with the local community in order to exchange ideas and experiences.

Who can apply?

Creatives from a broad range of practices such as visual arts and crafts, music, theatre, dance, film, writing, design, photography, and digital and sound art, fashion and gaming.

When should I apply?

Applications are open throughout the year and there is no closing date.

What will The Arts Centre provide?

The Arts Centre will provide:

• a fully furnished room with work desk and private bathroom in The Arts Centre’s Creative Residence. It is possible that the apartment will be shared with other residents.
• access to Wi-Fi.
• links, contacts and advice in relation to the local arts and creative industries community.
• on site advice and support with orientation and realising projects.
• Studio space may be provided at a discounted rate depending on availability and requirements.

What are the expectations of the creative resident?

Residents are expected to:

• arrange their own transport to and from Christchurch.
• arrange their own work permits/visa if applicable, with the support of The Arts Centre.
• work with The Arts Centre to devise and deliver a public programme event if staying more than 4 weeks.

How can I apply?

If you are an artist or practitioner with funding for a residency that you would like to carry out at The Arts Centre, please fill in the form below to submit your application.

What happens after I apply?

The applicant will receive acknowledgement of receipt of their application within one week and will be informed if their application is successful within one month.

Please Note

The apartment is not offered as a holiday destination for the Creative Residency programme, other than to family or friends of the hosts on rare occasion.

The Arts Centre will only consider applications that have funding confirmed or that are fully self-funded.

Open all year round, please get in contact to find out about our rates. Please be aware that our calendar gets booked up ahead of time and so applicants will need to be flexible with dates. All practitioners can apply: artists, writers, musicians, actors, etc.

Residency Information:

• Individuals with a creative project in mind can rent a room in The Arts Centre’s creative residency apartment for their own residency.
• The residency cost is set by Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre.
• All proceeds will go to covering staffing, cleaning, operating and other administration costs. Availability and duration can be provided on request.

For any questions about the residency or your application please contact Kaite: katiem@artscentre.org.nz