New commissions for Toi Māori Internship exhibition

Help us double boost an exhibition of new commissions, curated by our incoming Toi Māori Intern.

The Project

The Physics Room is hosting a 2022 Toi Māori Aotearoa Māori Arts Intern (MAI), who will be supported to develop an exhibition within our 2023 programme. We are asking for your help to increase the existing budget for this project, enabling the commission of substantial new works and research, in a process led by the curatorial intern... to be announced over the course of this campaign!

Aligning with The Physics Room's core aim, to support and develop new and experimental arts practices and discourse in Ōtautahi and Aotearoa, this project is intended to allow growth in the field of curating, as well as in the practices of the commissioned artists. It is an opportunity for professional curatorial development going beyond the extent of the 2022 internship.

Stay tuned to this campaign and our social media as we will be announcing the appointment of our incoming MAI intern very soon, and sharing with our audience more about their plans for this project.

What is the MAI internship programme?

The Toi Māori internship programme has generated this opportunity for The Physics Room to work alongside an early career Māori curator for 20 weeks across 2022. You can read more about the programme here.

In turn we want to make the most of this opportunity and the time of those involved. We are asking for support to increase the scale of the existing budget to one that can make a significant difference to the development of emerging practices, and in turn, to the cultural conversation in Ōtautahi.

Every donation counts... twice!

We're pleased to be part of BOOST ŌTAUTAHI, being one of fifteen projects in the city being matched dollar for dollar in June.

If you give $10... we get $20. If you give $50... we get $100! With your help, our aim is to raise $5,000, which will then be matched by BOOST ŌTAUATHI to make $10,000.

Thanks to the support of Rāta Foundation, Christchurch City Council and Creative New Zealand and Boosted for this opportunity to not only boost our exhibition programme but also a professional development opportunity.

How will your doubled donation be spent?

The campaign is intended to directly resource emerging contemporary Māori art practices, with a financially supported invitation for the development of new work including research travel, fees and production costs. All the money raised from this campaign will go directly into the 2023 Toi Māori exhibition project.

Who we are

The Physics Room is a contemporary art space dedicated to developing and promoting contemporary art and critical discourse in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Based in central Ōtautahi Christchurch since 1996, we assist art practitioners with resources and opportunities to enable professional and creative development, and work to support the acknowledgement and understanding of contemporary art among New Zealanders. Read more about history of The Physics Room.

We acknowledge Ngāi Tūāhuriri iwi as mana whenua of this takiwā. The Physics Room is not for profit. We are a charitable trust governed by a Board of Trustees. Read more about The Physics Room.

Other ways to help

Help us spread the word about this campaign by sharing on your socials and tagging those who may want to donate!

Thank you for your support