NEXT EVENT:
10th-13th
January 2025
Located in the picturesque town of Wanaka, the Craigs Aspiring Art Prize is the primary fundraiser for Holy Family Catholic School. Proudly sponsored by Craigs Investment Partners, our annual event features a $20,000 acquisition prize and various community-sponsored awards. It attracts artists from across New Zealand, fostering and encouraging their talents while establishing itself as a nationally recognised art award.
Entries open 1st October 2024 and close 1st November 2024.
Inspiring and fostering
New Zealand Artists
In the Details
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Medium: Must be two-dimensional. Photography and digital art are not accepted.
Originality: Artworks must be original and have never been exhibited before.
Size: Artworks must not exceed an area size of 120cm x 120cm (For example a piece can be 140cm x 90cm).
Sales: Artworks must be available for purchase. The organisers will take a 27.5% sales commission.
Entry Fee: $26 (includes booking fee)
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Residency: Artists must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents living in New Zealand at the time of entry.
The artist must be 18 years plus at time of entry.
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Selection: An independent panel will select 150 artworks for the exhibition.
Maximum Entries: Only 150 pieces of artwork will be exhibited.
Exhibition: The artwork selected will be exhibited over 4 days.
Note: Ensure all submissions meet the requirements to be considered for the exhibition. For more detailed information, refer to the official exhibition rules.
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Entries Close: Friday, 1st November 2024, 5pm
Selection Confirmation: By 1st December 2024 via email
Delivery of Artwork:
Courier Deliveries: Monday, 6th January 2025, 10am-3pm
Hand-Delivered Artwork: Tuesday, 7th January 2025, 10am-1pm
Gala Night/Exhibition Opening: Friday, 10th January 2025, 6pm (winners announced)
Exhibition Dates: 11th-13th January 2025, 10am-4pm
Collection of Purchased Works: Monday, 13th January 2025, 5pm-6:30pm
Collection of Unsold Artwork: Wednesday, 15th January 2025, 10am-12pm (couriered artwork sent back)
‘Obsession - Angus Collins
‘María’ - Sierra Roberts, Wanaka
Art Prizes
Supreme Winner
- Craigs Investment Partners Prize - $20,000 acquisition prize* (*The artwork will become the property of Craigs Investment Partners in exchange for the $20,000 first prize. As a result, it cannot be sold during the exhibition, please see terms and conditions)
Runner-up
- Craig Myles Colliers Prize - $3,000
Best Landscape Artist
- Peak Accommodation Prize - $2,500
Best Work Under $1,000
- Calder Group - $1,000
People's Choice Prize
- Nanny Goat Vineyard Prize - $1,000
Best Small Work
- $500.00
Merit Award
- Wanaka Self Storage - $500.00
Supreme Winner 2024
Zoë Marsden - The Lookout
2025 Judges
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Sarah Brown has over 14 years of experience in the arts sector, holding a BA in Art History from Otago University and a PGDip in Museum and Heritage Studies from Massey University. She began her career in 2011 working in curation and has been the Manager of the Invercargill Public Art Gallery since 2016.
Throughout her career, Sarah has been deeply involved in shaping the arts landscape in Murihiku. She played a key role in developing pop-up art spaces in response to the closure of regional art and museum facilities and co-led the creation of He Waka Tuia Art + Museum, Invercargill’s transitional space, which she now manages.
Sarah is a consistent advocate for creative community initiatives, actively supporting local artists and fostering engagement through exhibitions and events. Since 2011, she has contributed to the organisation and curation of local art award exhibitions, working to elevate both established and emerging talent from across Aotearoa.
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Chloe Cull is a curator and educator based in Ōtautahi Christchurch. She is currently Pouarataki Curator Māori at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. Previous roles include Principal Arts Advisor at Te Ara Ātea, Rolleston, and Assistant Curator Contemporary Art at Govett-Brewster Art Gallery in New Plymouth. Chloe is Chair of the Physics Room Board of Trustees and trustee for Paemanu Ngāi Tahu Contemporary Visual Arts Trust.
Late Bloomers -Katherine Throne
2025 Guest Artist: Katherine Throne
Katherine holds a Master of Fine Arts from the Elam School of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting (with Honors) and a minor in Interior Design from Kendall College of Art and Design in Michigan, USA, in 2014.
Her fascination with flowers began during her Master's research into the history of design. For Katherine, painting flowers is a way to celebrate and champion the feminine, embracing beauty, emotion, and our connection to the earth.
Thank you to our sponsors
The Craigs Aspiring Art Prize would not be possible without the help of our sponsors.
Mehrdad Tahan - 'Summer Harvest'
After School - Judith Milner
