Funding support from the Pacific Arts Committee of Creative New Zealand will see Pacific performance and design feature at next year’s Prague, PQ 03, for the first time. In its latest project funding round, the Pacific Arts Committee offered a $10,000 grant to Auckland dancemaker and designer Lemisio Ponifasio and architect Albert Refiti to present works at the prestigious event. Chair of the Pacific Arts Committee Marilyn Kohlhase has commented that there is a growing international interest in the Pacific and its vibrant artforms. 'This exhibition offers an extraordinary opportunity for a Pacific voice to be heard at a major international forum,' she said, noting that 'the Pacific’s unique perspective and approach to performance and design will be part of rigorous, intellectual discussions and debates.' In total, 31 projects were offered grants valued at $147,145 in the latest round, with funding also assisting Pacific artists to present their work at a public art sculpture symposium, The Real Pacific Solution, to be held in Melbourne in March 2003. Pacific Artspace, Auckland, was offered a $12,000 grant to bring together up to ten artists from the Pacific region to create a work of art in a public location for the two week symposium.