The prize is open to adults (18 years or older as of January 1st of the exhibition year) who are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

One entry per artist. The form is to be filled out online by Friday, 1 November, 2025.

Entry fee: $26 (includes a $1 transaction fee) and is non-refundable. Entries close 1 Nov 2025 5pm.

Artwork Image: Submit one high-resolution jpg images. Please make it front on ie not on an angle. This image will be used for judging so your images must be of good quality. For queries, email aspiringartprize@gmail.com

Changes to entry details must be made in writing via email. No changes are allowed after artwork delivery.

Accepted mediums: original, two-dimensional works (e.g., painting, drawing, artist prints, mixed media). Photographs and digital artwork are NOT accepted.

Original Artwork: The submitted artwork must be original and should NOT have been previously exhibited to the public for sale, in any art competition, or for judging on any prior occasion. This includes exhibitions in galleries, showrooms, online galleries, or any other public venue. Any entry previously shown is ineligible and will be excluded by the organisers. We take this seriously!

Hanging Requirements: All artworks must be professionally presented with a suitable cord or wire attached by D-rings. No protruding nails or screws. Artworks must be dry. Non-compliant artworks will be rejected.

Size: Artworks must not exceed 120cm wide x 120cm high. Oversize entries will not be accepted. Please submit dimensions in mm.

Weight: Please consider the weight of your artwork, as extremely heavy pieces may not be able to be hung.

Artwork Description: A summary of the artwork is required for the exhibition.

We kindly ask that you refrain from sharing your final work on social media. However, we welcome you to share work-in-progress updates and snippets. We also encourage you to help promote the event if possible.

Due to venue constraints, only 150 pieces will be selected and displayed.

An independent panel will conduct the selection process in November. Their decision is final.

The judges' decision is final, and no discussion will be entertained. Organisers and judges reserve the right to reject any work deemed inappropriate. Judging of exhibited artwork will take place Thursday 8 and Friday 9 Jan 2026, judge’s decision is final.

All artworks must be offered for sale. A 28% sales commission will be deducted from the artist’s payment for sold items.

Artists determine the pricing of their artwork; however, the majority of sold pieces are priced below $5,000.

Artists grant organisers the right to exhibit and sell their work.

Artists grant permission for their artwork images to be used for marketing and promotional purposes, primarily on our website and social media. Artists will be credited when possible.

Artists may grant permission in the entry form for their artwork to be used in the Craigs promotional 2026 calendar if selected. Artists will be credited and contacted by Craigs beforehand to obtain permission.

Courier Deliveries: Please arrange for courier deliveries to arrive on Monday, 5th January 2026, between 10 am and 3 pm at Holy Family School, 152 Aubrey Road, Wanaka 9305.

Hand-Delivered Artwork: All other artwork (hand-delivered) must arrive on Tuesday, 6th January 2026, between 10 am and 1 pm.

Courier Instructions: Couriers should use NZ Couriers or NZ Post depots in Wanaka. Please do NOT use Aramex, as we have experienced issues with lost or stuck artwork in their depot.

Delivery Information: Local courier companies in Wanaka are informed about the bulk artwork delivery. They have been reliable in the past, delivering the entire batch on the specified day. Once your entry is confirmed, you will receive an artist kit with address labels for your packaging (labels are not pre-paid).

Entrant Responsibilities:

• Entrants are responsible for getting their work to the school on the advertised date.

• Entrants must also organise the removal of unsold works, which must be removed on Wednesday, 14th January 2026, between 10 am and 12 pm.

• Any works delivered or collected by courier must be arranged and pre-paid by the entrant.

• The premises will be closed after this date, so timely collection is essential.

• Entrants who fail to pick up unsold artwork by this date will be charged $10 per day for storage.

• The organizers accept no responsibility for artwork lost during transit to or from the school. Artists should ensure their work is appropriately insured.

Transport and insurance costs are the artist’s responsibility. Organisers are not liable for any damage or lost during transit and the artists should ensure that their work is appropriately insured during the event. We cover artworks under $25,000 if damaged by us.

Every effort will be made to handle artwork with care.

The organisers reserve the right to modify or cancel the dates, agenda, content, prizes or conditions of the event, without restriction or prior notification, if they deem this to be necessary