NZSA / Auckland Museum Research Grant + Residency Now Open for Applications

Applications are now open for a $5000 research grant and residency for writers wishing to work on a project that will utilise the resources of the Auckland Museum Library as part of the manuscript’s development. The grant also offers the recipient the opportunity to take up four weeks funded accommodation at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in Devonport.

This grant + residency is offered by the Auckland War Memorial Museum and NZ Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc) and can be used for fiction and non-fiction projects.

The NZSA / Auckland Museum Research Grant + Residency 2018 comprises:

• A Grant of $5,000 supplemented by the option of 4 weeks funded accommodation at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in Devonport.
• The Auckland Museum Library reading room and copying facilities for grant recipients as a working space as well as guided access to the library’s collections of manuscripts, pictures and publications.
• The recipient also receives a one year membership to the Auckland Museum Institute. Benefits of being a member include a free guided highlights tour of the Museum and special member pricing at the AM shop and for selected Museum events.

In 2017 the Grant was awarded to Marlborough writer Joan Norlev Taylor whose winning proposal focused on articles and books relating to the lives of European settlers, particularly women in the 1860s. Previous recipients have also included Laurence Fearnley – who used the award for research on smell and landscape, specifically drawing on the journals of naturalist and missionary Rev. Richard Taylor and the observations he made regarding scented plant material used by M?ori in the creation of “The Grand M?ori Perfume.” While screenwriter, playwright, filmmaker and actor Paolo Rotondo used his research to work on his play Koror?reka: The Ballad of Maggie Flynn.

“The Auckland Museum Library is one of New Zealand’s major research libraries” says Adam Moriarty, Acting Head of Information, Library and Enquiries. “The depth of material available is highly valued both in New Zealand and internationally. We are proud to work alongside the NZ Society of Authors to offer this unique grant and residency.”

NZ Society of Authors CEO Jenny Nagle commented “We are excited to offer this Grant once again to our members, in conjunction with the Auckland Museum. The Auckland Museum research library is one of the best in the country and the recipient will have access to on-line collections and a wealth of research and materials on site. Coupled with the Michael King Writers Centre and with additional Museum benefits, this grant is a handsome combination of access to archives for research, cash to cover expenses and a place and space to write. We are grateful to the Auckland Museum for its generosity and recognition of the needs of writers.”

The deadline for printed copies of applications to be received is 4pm, 23 November 2018. The successful recipient will be announced in early 2019.

Applicants need to be members of the NZ Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc). Membership of the NZ Society of Authors is open to all budding and established writers. You can find out more at www.authors.org.nz

Application form and terms & conditions NZSA / Auckland Museum Research Grants

To find out more about the Auckland Museum Library, please visit:
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/discover/library

For further information and for media enquiries: Claire Hill, Operations Manager office@nzauthors.org.nz 09 3794801