Arty facts: News from the art world

A look at what's happening in the world of art.

Let the contest begin

The cellphone has come of age, at least as far as arts funder Creative New Zealand (CNZ) is concerned.

The organisation's annual guide on how to apply for its contestable funding is now available from its website and this year introduces a new art form category, media arts.

The new category supports the development of moving-image and media artistic practices using digital or analogue technologies within screen-based, electronic, internet or mobile phone domains.

In 2009-10 CNZ invested $33.7 million in the arts, an increase of $800,000 on the previous year.

Roll up

Dunedin's Fortune Theatre is holding local open auditions on February 21 and 22.

Those auditioning will need to prepare two contrasting monologues, one of which must be from a New Zealand play.

The two monologues should run no longer than five minutes combined.

In addition, singers should prepare 16 bars of a standard show tune of their choice to be performed a cappella.

Those intending to audition should email a headshot and performance resume by 5pm on February 11, to laraM@fortunetheatre.co.nz.

Thinking theatre

Vaudeville act The Travelling Brain Show visits Roxburgh and Oamaru during the coming week.

Performed by New Zealander John Hudson and his German partner Sonja Kling, the show includes "strange stories of the mind, with sumptuous singing, and occasional dancing".

The pair are based in Cologne, Germany ("because it smells nice"), and work in TV and theatre throughout Europe and England.

Their Roxburgh show is tonight at 8 at the Roxburgh Movie Theatre.

They then play at the Oamaru Repertory Theatre on January 27.