From Creative New Zealand - Living icons of New Zealand arts will be honoured at the second biennial Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icon Awards in 2005 and New Zealanders are being asked to suggest living New Zealand artists with great mana whom they think are deserving of this honour. The Arts Foundation is generating a list of possible award recipients by consulting with arts organisations, patrons, administrators and experts in various fields of artistic endeavour. It also wants to receive suggestions from the general public of senior artists who have produced work at the very highest level throughout their working life.
The 2003 Icon Artists were Len Castle – potter; Janet Frame – writer (1924-2004); Maurice Gee – writer; Ralph Hotere – visual artist; Russell Kerr – choreographer; Sir Donald McIntyre – opera singer; Milan Mrkusich – painter/visual artist; Diggeress Te Kanawa – weaver; Hone Tuwhare – poet; and Sir Miles Warren – architect.
These Icons were acknowledged for the leadership and inspiration they provide to New Zealand and celebrated for their achievements as the champions of New Zealand arts.
All suggested names will be forwarded to the Arts Foundation governors, who will choose seven recipients to be honoured at the Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icon Awards in 2005. Other artists will be celebrated at subsequent events, creating a living circle of 20 Icon Artists.
Each Icon receives a specially commissioned medallion and pin. The artist will keep the pin in perpetuity, but following their death, their medallion is presented to a successor at the next Icon Awards ceremony. Thus the mana of each award increases significantly over time.
The Arts Foundation of New Zealan Icon Awards – Honouring Pre-eminence :: Whakamana i te hiranga are held in conjunction with Principal Sponsor Forsyth Barr and Icon Awards Supporting Sponsor AMP.
To make your nominations, email admin@artsfoundation.org.nz or
visit: www.artsfoundation.org.nz/awards01.html
More about the Arts Foundation http://www.artsfoundation.org.nz
More about Creative New Zealand http://www.creativenz.govt.nz/
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