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 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 2020 the Grant was awarded to Wellington writer Cassandra Tse, whose winning proposal utilised research drawn from the Auckland Museum Library’s extensive collections.
Previous recipients have also included Sarah Ell, whose winning proposal used research drawn from Auckland Museum Library’s extensive collections on New Zealand native species and 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 Māori in the creation of “The Grand Māori Perfume.” While screenwriter, playwright, filmmaker and actor Paolo Rotondo used his research to work on his play Kororāreka: The Ballad of Maggie Flynn.
“The Auckland Museum Research Library is a value source of information and one of New Zealand’s major research libraries” says Adam Moriarty, Head of Collection Information and Access. “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 to authors wanting to pursue their research interests by consulting our collections.”
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 applications is 4pm, 31 January 2021. The successful recipient will be announced in early 2021.
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.
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 media enquiries: Jenny Nagle, CEO NZSA director@nzauthors.org.nz
