ARTISTS ACROSS BORDERS

Artists Across Borders is a special “top-up” funding opportunity for contemporary Pasifika artists based in Aotearoa. This initiative supports artists who’ve received rare international invitations between April and December 2025, but are facing financial barriers that could prevent them from taking up these opportunities.

This opportunity aligns with Tautai’s vision, which is to establish a thriving, sustainable and interconnected Pasifika Arts community across Aotearoa, Te Moana-nui-a-Kiva and the world.

International invitations we support:

  • exhibitions

  • residencies

  • guest speaker for art festivals, conferences and talanoa

  • facilitating public programming

Costs that we support:

  • flights

  • travel insurance

  • accommodation

  • per diems

  • exhibition materials

  • production costs

  • research costs associated with residencies

Eligibility criteria:

  • you must be of Pasifika heritage and a resident of Aotearoa. We follow Creative New Zealand’s definition of Pasifika: “People living in Aotearoa New Zealand who have Pacific Island heritage. The Pacific Islands refers to the islands of Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.”

  • please ensure that the proposed programme is not financially supported by Creative New Zealand funding

  • you must already have received a formal invitation to your event

  • it must be an event that concludes in 2025

  • the majority of your expenses must be already covered - these funds are intended solely to bridge the shortfall

  • the maximum amount you can request is $4,000NZD (gst non-applicable)

  • successful applications are available on a first-come first-served basis until funds are exhausted

  • international host must have successful experience with similar proposed programmes

  • applicant must have a strong CV that demonstrates excellent and reliable capability on delivering proposed programme

  • once your application has been submitted, please allow up to 10 working days for us to either contact you for additional information or provide an update on the outcome of your application

FAQs

  • Yes — you must be of Pasifika heritage and currently living in Aotearoa New Zealand. We follow Creative New Zealand’s definition of Pasifika: “People living in Aotearoa New Zealand who have Pacific Island heritage. The Pacific Islands refers to the islands of Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.”

  • No — you must already have a formal invitation in hand before applying.

  • We support international invitations such as exhibitions, residencies, guest speaking at art festivals, conferences, talanoa, and facilitating public programming. The event must conclude in 2025.

  • You can request up to $4,000 NZD. Please note, this is to cover shortfall only — most of your expenses must already be covered.

  • We can help with flights, travel insurance, accommodation, per diems, exhibition materials, production costs, and research costs linked to residencies.

  • No — the $4,000 NZD amount is GST non-applicable.

  • Funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. You must have a strong CV and your international host should have experience delivering similar programmes successfully. Please ensure that the proposed programme is not financially supported by Creative New Zealand funding.

  • No — only one application per person is permitted for this fund.

  • Please contact Operations Director, Olivia Laita - operations@tautai.org