Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship 2019 open for applications

Applications open for the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship, with the successful fellow travelling to France in 2020 - a year which marks 50 years for one of New Zealand’s most prestigious and longstanding fellowships.

Founded in 1970 it has been awarded to some of our most successful writers including Maurice Gee, Carl Nixon, Kate Camp, Anna Jackson, Mandy Hager, Greg McGee, Bill Manhire, Janet Frame, Witi Ihimaera, Elizabeth Knox, Lloyd Jones, Dame Fiona Kidman, Roger Hall, Marilyn Duckworth, Michael King and Allen Curnow.

The Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship allows the successful fellow to live for up to six months in Menton, France with access to a writing room beneath the terrace of Villa Isola Bella, where Katherine Mansfield did some of her most significant writing. They receive a $35,000 grant to cover all costs including travel to Menton, insurance, living and accommodation costs.

The 2019 recipient of the fellowship is an award-winning novelist and short story writer Paula Morris, who is currently enjoying her time in Menton.

“Our months in Menton have been so stimulating and productive, and I love working every day at the Memorial studio - not to mention waking up every day to a view of the blue Mediterranean. It is one of the most rewarding creative experiences of my writing life,” says Paula.

The fellowship is generated by a fund managed by the Arts Foundation of New Zealand, which was made possible by generous donors including many individuals, the Winn-Manson Menton Trust, Creative New Zealand and the New Zealand France Friendship Fund.

Detailed information about the fellowship and how to apply is available at the Arts Foundation's website: https://www.thearts.co.nz/awards/katherine-mansfield-menton-fellowship

Applications open Monday 27 May and close 5pm Monday 1 July. The recipient will be announced at the new Arts Foundation event, NZ Arts Ball on Saturday 31 August in Auckland.