National Contemporary Art Award
Brave, colourful, and never shy. The art of now.
With a cash prize pool of more than $30,000 and egalitarian ‘blind judging’ process, the National Contemporary Art Award competition has brought the cutting edge of Aotearoa New Zealand art to Kirikiriroa Hamilton since it was established in 2000.
2025 timeline
Previously held annually, the National Contemporary Art Award is now a biennial competition, occurring every two years from 2025.
- Call for entries open: Tuesday 4 March
- Entries close: 1pm Thursday 1 May
- Finalists announced: late May
- Opening gala and announcement of winners: Thursday 31 July
- Exhibition open from: Friday 1 August
- People's Choice Winner announced: late October
- Exhibition closes: Sunday 16 November
Entry Form
The call for entries is open from 4 March 2025.
Conditions of Entry
Please read thoroughly before you enter the Award.
Tips and tricks
Our advice to help ensure your entry is eligible.
Guest judge for 2025
The judge for 2025 will be acclaimed curator and writer Nigel Borell, who is of Pirirakau, Ngaati Ranginui, Ngaai Te Rangi, Te Whakatoohea tribal descent and was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2022.
Highlights from the 2023 Award
"This work clearly speaks to the most pressing issues of our time.”
The 2023 National Contemporary Art Award was won by artist Tawhai Rickard (Ngaati Uepohatu, Ngaati Porou) for his “nuanced and generous” installation titled 'Scenes from a Victorian Restaurant'.
The winning work was selected by guest judge and highly respected arts curator, Melanie Oliver, from an unprecedented volume of entries.