Apply for the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship Program – New Zealand

The residency is open to creative writers across all genres including fiction, children’s fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and playwriting.

The primary aim of the residency is for the writer to work on a project in a new environment, and to complete, or make substantial progress with, a body of writing during the residency.

Goals

• Developing the potential of the writer through exposure to new cultures and new ideas.
• An increased awareness in France of New Zealand literature.

Benefits

• The residency provides:
  • A grant of $50,000 to cover all costs including travel to Menton, insurance, living and accommodation costs.
  • A room beneath the terrace of Villa Isola Bella is available for use as a study. Accommodation is not available at the villa. Fellows make their own accommodation arrangements, often with advice from a previous Fellow.

Role and Responsibilities

• The recipients of the Fellowship will be required to:
  • Conduct themselves in an appropriate manner and have the self-reliance and resourcefulness to cope with an overseas residency.
  • Liaise with contacts and maintain the goodwill of all those involved with the Fellowship, especially in Menton (for example, cooperate with any reasonable requirements from the Menton City Council).
  • Ensure there is a printed acknowledgement in any published work that results from the tenure of the Fellowship.
  • Attend any Fellowship ceremonies and take part in media interviews, publicity and promotion associated with the Fellowship. The recipient will also have an artist profile page on the Arts Foundation website.
  • If asked, make one public appearance on behalf of the Fellowship. This may include participating in a Festival or other special event.
  • Arrange accommodation and travel.
  • Insure against sickness, accident and death occurring while overseas and provide a receipt for the premium prior to departure.
• They would also be grateful if you:
  • Would participate in social activities to promote any sponsor, partner or supporter of the Arts Foundation and/or the Fellowship and the Fellowship itself.
  • Keep in touch with the Arts Foundation team and send appropriate content such as photographs, writing excerpts or content for social media and their website from time to time.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship you must:
  • Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident who has lived continuously in New Zealand for three years prior to making the application (this requirement excludes any short trips out of the country).
  • Be a professional practicing writer with a record of achievement.
  • Have the ability to produce a work of substantial literary quality if awarded the Fellowship.
  • Have the potential to be an ambassador for New Zealand and for New Zealand literature.

Selection Criteria

• The selection panel will assess which application best demonstrates one or more of the following:
  • How the Fellowship will develop the career of a writer whose work has already made a considerable impact, or
  • How the Fellowship will contribute to a new career direction for a established writer.
  • Whether the Fellowship is an opportunity for a successful writer who has had little previous opportunity to travel.
  • The likely impact the residency will have on the writer’s work.
  • How the writer will contribute to the promotion and continuance of the Fellowship.

Application Requirements

• Cover sheet and Conditions of the Fellowship, signed
• A covering letter
• Details on how this residency will develop your career, provide a new direction or otherwise impact on your work. A writing sample (no more than 20 pages), a brief outline of the work to be undertaken in Menton, your availability to be resident in Menton for a period of no less than three months during 2026.
• Resume/Literary CV listing published work, awards, etc and professional history.
• Any other information you consider relevant.

For more information, visit The Arts Foundation.