The Mātātuhi Foundation, launched this evening, will provide
opportunities for New Zealand writers to develop and promote their works and
for readers to increase their engagement with the work of local writers and
will fund activities that contribute to literacy in this country.
Auckland Writers Festival Chair, Pip Muir says the launch of
the Mātātuhi Foundation is the next step in the realisation of a long-held
dream.
“When the Festival began almost 20 years’ ago, meetings were
held around a kitchen table. Since then, the appetite to engage with writers
from New Zealand and around the world has grown exponentially and with it the
opportunity to deepen our commitment to our literary landscape.
“It is absolutely fantastic that the Festival has reached a
point where it can further contribute to the national reading and writing
community. We are thrilled to be able support the nation’s literature with the
launch of this ground-breaking initiative.”
The Foundation will operate
independently of the Auckland Writers Festival Trust and initially aims to make
up to ten one-off grants of $2000 - $5000 per year whilst building an endowment
platform to support its long-term endeavours.
Ms Blackburn says she relishes the opportunity to work with
an organisation that supports New Zealand literature.
“I very much look forward to receiving applications from
groups that seek to engage more readers and also from our writers, whose words
and ideas enrich our lives.”
Applicants are invited to submit expressions of interest twice a year, with deadlines of 31 October and 31 May
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