Creative Australia, Creative New Zealand and the Oceania Centre at the University of the South Pacific (USP) are thrilled to announce Emele Ugavule, Ulamila Buiravonu Bulamaibau, and Nina Nawalowalo ONZM for the inaugural Oceania Pacific Arts Residency in Suva, Fiji.

The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the three partner agencies earlier this year, with Creative New Zealand leading the delivery of the residency.

Building on the Oceania Centre’s long-standing role as a gathering space for Pacific artists and thought leaders, the initiative will offer a hub for creative exchange shaped by shared knowledge and passion for artmaking. Artists will be supported to explore new ideas, challenge their practice, and build lasting connections across the region.

Right Honourable Siosiua Tuitalukua Tupou Utoikamanu, Pro-Chancellor of The University of the South Pacific, believes the residency reflects the strength of Pacific-led collaboration.

“This exciting tri-nation residency is a wonderful opportunity for artists from and of the Pacific region to come together at The University of the South Pacific’s home for arts and culture to learn from and with one another. USP’s commitment to shaping future Pacific leaders is visionary in that the arts are an innate part of our cultures and of our learning. USP plays a dynamic role in the Pacific region that is underpinned by its unique cultural identities; heritage/cultural preservation forms an integral component of our work,” says Rt. Hon. Utoikamanu.

“We look forward to exploring new ways of creativity and creating during the residency at the Oceania Centre and engaging in arts discourse not just between the artists, but also about their arts practices.”

Adrian Collette AM, Creative Australia Chief Executive says “The Oceania Pacific Arts Residency is an important partnership that supports enduring relationships between artists, communities and creative organisations across our region. As we welcome the inaugural residents, we are excited to see how this residency will support new work, deepen regional connections and lay the foundations for lasting creative pathways between Australia and the Pacific.”

Maiava Keven Mealamu MNZM, Arts Council member of Creative New Zealand’s governing board, highlights the strategic impact this partnership will have for the selected artist and the wider Pacific arts sector.

“We are thrilled for this three-country partnership under our Pacific Arts Strategy to strengthen relationships between artists that also align with our strategic priority to address climate change. Congratulations to all the selected artists and I want to thank our wonderful partners and teams for creating this new opportunity in the Pacific Islands,” says Keven.

The program will run in October of this year and hosted by the Oceania Centre in Suva.

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