Work/Volunteer for us

Creative Communicator

Applications for the next round of 2023/2024 Creative Communicator residencies are now open, closing on September 7th.

The Styx Living Laboratory Trust' s Project Kōtare (Puharakekenui Freshwater Improvement Project) is funded by
the Ministry for the Environment to improve the Styx River Catchment, in the North of Christchurch.

The aim of the Creative Communicator / Artist in Residence role is to produce artwork to raise the profile of the Styx Catchment, and the work that the Styx Living Laboratory Trust is doing. Also, to interpret aspects of the Catchment in a creative way. The Trust aims to provide professional development opportunities for the successful applicant as
well as the Styx community, with opportunities for the community to be invigorated through an exchange of ideas
and new ways of working, facilitating community participation and communicate freshwater values through art and Matauranga Maori.

What is the offer?
A stipend of $1000 (GST ex) per week will be given to the artist to facilitate the development of his/her work.

When is the position/residency term?
The position will typically be for 12 weeks beginning at a mutually agreed date between September 2023 and April
2024.

Position aims
The outcome of this position aims:
• To produce artwork to raise the profile of the Styx Catchment, and the work that the Styx Living Laboratory Trust is doing. Also, to interpret aspects of the Catchment in a creative way.
• To support artists and showcase artistic endeavours and communication in the Styx Catchment.
• To support creative development in all areas of visual arts and contribute to the cultural narrative of the Puharakekenui/Styx River.
• To provide professional development opportunities for the successful applicant as well as the Styx community, with opportunities for the community to be invigorated through an exchange of ideas and new ways of working.
• To facilitate community participation and communicate freshwater values through art and Matauranga Maori.
• Encourage experimentation in the way freshwater values are communicated, providing an opportunity for public access (via mutual agreement between Trust and artist) to an artist at work, as well as a workshop or artist talk as part of the term.

Where you will work
Workspace is provided at the Styx Living Laboratory Trust Field Centre (75 Lower Styx Rd) with the expectation that work takes place on site or within the Styx catchment area.

Are you eligible?
We seek applications from mature, independent and adventurous artists. Artists need to have a proven exhibition or performance record and to commit to creating a new body of work inspired by the Puharakekenui/Styx River. Only New Zealand-born artists or those with New Zealand residency status will be considered.

What kind of ʻcreativeʼ?
We welcome applications from artists working in all art forms. The settings would suit: visual artists such as photographers, printmakers, painters, sculptors, film makers or installation artists and creators such as composers, writers, poets and choreographers. The limited timeframe and artist fee may preclude completion of sizable, costly or complex projects.

Can I collaborate?
Unfortunately we can only accommodate working space for one artist at a time.

Criteria for selection
Priority will be given to:
• artists making high-quality and innovative work
• artists creating site-specific or site-responsive work
• artists who offer some interaction with others in Trust interest groups, ie. Catchment community, iwi, schools,
volunteers

Priority may be given to:
• artists who propose a development or departure from their previous work
• artists who can articulate a particular benefit from working in a catchment environment
• artists living in the Styx Catchment, with a connection to the place, or living within the wider Canterbury area

Conditions of the position
The artist needs to:
• create new work related to the place or to the experience of the position. This position is not for artists wanting to complete work already started or for work on projects unrelated to the Catchment
• create work which can be completed during the position timeframe or within a month of completing the position term
• for the position to culminate in the production of an artwork, to be displayed in the Field Centre or elsewhere on the Catchment, if an exhibition output is not confirmed during the term
• be available for photo shoots and interviews with media
• give or enable reproduction of artworks for interpretation/Catchment awareness purposes
• cooperate with other Styx Living Laboratory Trust staff to showcase the term of the position including work-in-progress and outputs via website, social media and print media (with artist retaining copyright)
• initiate, design and facilitate (in conjunction with the Trust) an approved public-facing project with community groups, in the form of: a workshop, artist talk, exhibition, presentation of research, performance or concert or school visit
• the suggested koha for the acceptance of the position is the donation of an artwork to the Trust - this is expected to be something that was produced during the term of the position and could be in any form, including concept/sketch.

Workspace
A workspace (which is not purpose built for this position) will be provided, and space made available to suit the proposed output and working requirements.

Exhibition or reproduction of work
Opportunities for the exhibition/performance of works developed while in residence or afterwards may be offered at venues in or near the Catchment.

Promotion
Styx Living Laboratory Trust staff may provide assistance with related position events such as a workshop, final performance or exhibition. Staff will facilitate media coverage and promotion via our website, social media, local newspapers and newsletters. Support staff and the Trust will provide background information on the Catchment before the residency begins and provide orientation on arrival.

Tools, equipment and materials
Artists will bring with them any tools, materials and equipment they need. Local, found or natural material may be used but only with permission from the park rangers.

For a full description of this position click here.

 

 

Trustee - Styx Living Laboratory Trust (x2)

The Styx Living Laboratory Trust (SLLT) is looking for two new enthusiastic volunteer Trustees to join our team! We’re a local river care group that has been operating in the  Pūharakekenui (Styx) Catchment for over twenty years and we are now looking for two new passionate people to help lead our work in the Pūharakekenui Catchment.

About SLLT:

The Trust was formed in 2002 as part of the Christchurch City Council’s Styx Vision 2000-2040 to create a ‘living laboratory’ in the Catchment for learning and research. We achieve this through our environmental education programmes, research projects, environmental monitoring programmes, conservation projects and community outreach.  We also undertake forest and riparian planting, predator, willow and weed control activities. This year we are on target to plant 35,000 trees in the Pūharakekenui (Styx) Catchment!

The Pūharakekenui (Styx) awa is a spring-fed river that starts near Nunweek Park and flows through stunning regional parks and reserves winding through northern Otautahi and emptying 24.8 km away in Brooklands Lagoon. The entire Pūharakekenui Catchment is 7000 ha and is home to many species of freshwater fish, wetland and bush birds(and possibly even the pekapeka(bats)).

Our Team is led by voluntary Trustees who are supported by Staff, Volunteers, MoU Partners and Portfolio Holders to achieve the Trust’s objective of creating a ‘living laboratory’ in the Pūharakekenui.

The Trustee Role

The Trustee position will involve providing strategic advice and expertise to Senior Management/Staff and supporting the delivery of the Trust’s projects/programmes.

The bminimum time commitment will be approximately 3-4 hours per month (responding to staff email queries) and a monthly Trustees’ meeting that runs from 6pm - 7.30pm on the third Wednesday of each month.

We’re looking for diverse, passionate applicants from all walks of life, backgrounds and expertise. What’s important to us is how you can use your background to help our team manage and protect the Pūharakekenui (Styx) environs. 

How to apply

If you’re enthusiastic and think you’d make a great addition to our team then we’d love to hear from you, even if you’re not sure if your past experience aligns with this role, we encourage you to get in touch anyway!

To learn more about the Trust visit our website, facebook or instagram

To apply, send beth@thestyx.nz a brief description of why you’re interested in joining our team!