The New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) is seeking a creative director for the country’s national exhibition at the 2016 Venice Biennale.

In 2014, New Zealand participated in the Biennale for the first time with the exhibition Last, Loneliest, Loveliest, under the creative direction of David Mitchell. The exhibition was named one of the top twenty-five exhibitions to visit by Wallpaper* magazine. In 2016, the NZIA hopes to continue to raise the international profile of New Zealand’s architectural and design culture.

The creative director or team will be required to conceptualise a strong and compelling exhibition that is also well researched and professionally presented. The NZIA is looking for a stimulating point of view on the practice or occurrence of architecture.

“The Biennale is a sophisticated event and a unique opportunity to offer our take on the architectural issues that confront communities all around the world,” said Tony van Raat, commissioner of the NZ exhibition. “We want to surprise [the Biennale’s] international audience – let them know there’s more to New Zealand than sport, scenery and hobbits.”

Creative teams will need to comprise of a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, as well as an architect registered in New Zealand or New Zealand architect registered overseas. Teams are also encouraged to include practitioners from related fields – landscape architects, engineers construction and logistics specialists – as well as artists, writers, graphic designers and animators, gallerists and curators.

Submissions close 12 March 2015. A shortlist will be announced 26 March and the successful creative director will be announced in May. Submission requirement and selection criteria here.