Fully Subsidised Scheme
Enabling local artists to tell the unique stories of Ōtautahi Christchurch through visual art
Qualifying projects will have the costs to access the Photosynthesis studio and darkroom spaces and equipment fully subsidised.
This lowers financial barriers to the diverse depiction and participation of the people of Ōtautahi who have not been well-represented in artistic works.
The Fully Subsidised Scheme is currently open for applications.
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The proposed project gives the voice of people that have been traditionally under- represented in fine art. This may include, but is not limited to, sexual and gender minorities, ethnic and cultural minorities, disabled and elderly communities, and people pushing against historic social and cultural limitations.
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The project could not be undertaken without support from Photosynthesis, who will fully subsidise the access of the studio and equipment for the duration of the project. The outputs of the project may not be sufficiently monetised to cover costs. External funding may be sought by artists to cover additional costs beyond equipment and space hire, such as remuneration, publication and exhibition expenses. This allows us to directly identify and address financial barriers.
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The project entails multiple uses of the studio and equipment. Original content, processes and delivery will be highly valued. The project must strive for depth and nuance.
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The project will be concluded with the publication of visual works in digital or physical formats that will be accessible to an audience. This may include: printed books or zines, exhibition of prints, uploading of video to digital platforms like YouTube, or other substantial publication.
Criteria
Project Highlights
Life/Styles 2024
led by Heather Milne
'Life/Styles 2024' was a collaborative photographic project with Ōtautahi rangatahi that explores local identity and fosters collaboration and engagement of young people from different communities through the development of a photographic archive of young people in the city.
The 2024 programme was a pilot scheme, and involved workshops about community photography, storytelling, and zine-making with rangatahi from different parts of Ōtautahi. Rangatahi then photographed their communities and stories, and worked together to curate an exhibition at Turanga library and associated zine. The digital photo files will be archived to start an ongoing photographic archive of Ōtautahi rangatahi, and a photo book will be created and sold to raise funds for the following year's 'Life/Styles 2025'.
Mau Rākau
led by Napat Chutrchaivech
Napat is telling a story of mau rākau (Māori weaponry), practitioners of the art, and how the journey influences their life. This will be done through photographing and interviewing whanau who practices under Te Whare Tū Taua o Waitaha, and let them tell their stories. This project, lasting around six months, will yield a produce a book and an exhibition with selected photographs. Photosynthesis is providing space for portraits and guidance on driving the project forward.
Takht
led by Dani Faraji
Takht sought to make the closely held traditions of diverse cultural identities accessible to broad audiences by developing the stories told by elders into impactful documentaries. This was an innovative project for Dani Faraji and her team, who have developed videography and studio use skills with the support of Photosynthesis. Dani is a trustee of the Kia Ora Academy: a non-profit that runs in-person and online events that foster a sense of community and lifelong learning.
The fully subsidised scheme is supported with funding from the Rātā Foundation.
Their support in equitably lowering barriers and making fine art and visual storytelling accessible for everyone is gratefully acknowledged.