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University of Otago vice-chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne and Chancellor John Ward yesterday during Prof Hayne's first council meeting as the institution's new chief executive. Photo by Jane Dawber. |
A continuance of tradition was one of the first official
duties for University of Otago vice-chancellor Prof Harlene
Hayne yesterday at her inaugural council meeting as the
institution's new chief executive.
Prof Hayne said she was proud to continue Otago's strong
tradition of supporting New Zealand's creative artists when
she announced the four recipients of the university's
prestigious arts fellowships.
Dunedin poet and novelist Emma Neale has been awarded the
Robert Burns Fellowship; Auckland artist Nick Austin the
Frances Hodgkins Fellowship; and Wellington composer Robbie
Ellis will be the new Mozart Fellow.
The University of Otago College of Education and Creative New
Zealand Children's Writer in Residence would be author and
poet James Norcliffe, of Christchurch, Prof Hayne said.
She wished the four artists and writers well in their
creative endeavours during the next year.
"This continues Otago's fine tradition of supporting the arts
with fellowships that have assisted so many of New Zealand's
most loved and respected artists to make their mark over the
years," Prof Hayne said.
Ms Neale said she was delighted to be named Burns Fellow. It
meant she would be able to write full-time, an opportunity
she had never had before.
"One of the beauties of a fellowship is having the time to
read and explore ideas. It's so enticing," she said.
Frances Hodgkins Fellow Nick Austin, of Auckland, said the
artists residency was one of the most generous on offer in
New Zealand.
He was "thrilled and privileged" to receive the award, and
was looking forward to the freedom of working with no other
professional obligations while living in Dunedin for the
year, Mr Austin said.
Mozart Fellow Robbie Ellis said he was "incredibly excited
and grateful to the university" for giving him his first
opportunity to be a full-time composer. He plans to use his
time as Mozart fellow to write a major musical theatre piece.
Christchurch author James Norcliffe said he would put his
time to good use during the six-month residency as the
University of Otago College of Education and Creative New
Zealand Children's Writer in Residence.
Mr Norcliffe intends to write another sequel to his novel
The Loblolly Boy, which won the junior fiction
category at the 2010 NZ Post Children's Book Awards, and its
sequel, The Loblolly Boy and the Sorcerer.
Arts Fellows 2012
• Robert Burns Fellow: Emma Neale (Dunedin), poet,
novelist, editor.
• Frances Hodgkins Fellow: Nick Austin (Auckland),
artist, Gambia Art Gallery co-founder.
• Mozart Fellow: Robbie Ellis (Wellington), composer,
Radio New Zealand producer and presenter.
• University of Otago College of Education and Creative NZ
Children's Writer in Residence: James Norcliffe
(Christchurch), novelist, poet.
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