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.
Timeline
The next National Contemporary Art Award will be held in 2027.
Call for entries typically open in March with finalists announced in May. The winners are announced at the opening gala for the exhibition of finalists, held at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery.
Judging
The identities of entrants are concealed throughout the judging process, allowing the works to be assessed on their own merits alongside the anonymous artist statement.
Judges are met with the intrepid task of viewing myriad videos and photographs,and reading artist's statements.
Each judge selects their own finalists and winners with vastly differing rationales for their choices.
Prizes
Winner: $20,000
Runner-up: $7,500
Merit awards: $1,000
Terms and Conditions
All entrants should carefully read the terms and conditions before submitting their piece. These may change before the next round of awards is open for entries.