Let's fund a Laureate

Gather ‘round Aotearoa, we’re looking for a crowd to collectively fund New Zealand’s next Arts Foundation Laureate.  

For the first time ever, we’re giving all New Zealanders a chance to back an Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate – an award gifted to the country’s most outstanding artists, and supported by some of New Zealand’s great givers. Now, you get a go. 

What’s an Arts Foundation Laureate? 

Arts Foundation Laureates are awarded to New Zealand’s most outstanding artists, and the financial gift and national recognition is life changing. Laureates receive a $25,000 grant from the Arts Foundation following selection by an independent panel. The award is unable to be applied for ­– so come as a total surprise to the recipient. Since 2000, 99 past Arts Foundation Laurates have been given the boost of this gift, and a platform to keep creating, inspiring and having impact. An additional $5,000 helps us profile the recipients.

The Arts Foundation believes, unapologetically, that the arts are central to a thriving Aotearoa.  We’re on a mission to show the impact artists have on Aotearoa New Zealand – and this year we hope to fund six Laureates in what has been a particularly hard year for artists.  

Artists give us hope. Let’s give it right back to some of our greatest.

Who will receive the Laureate? 

We’ll announce the 2020 Laureates late September after a rigorous selection process by an independent expert panel spanning a range of artistic disciplines/genres. But, trust us, it’ll be an artist making an impact on Aotearoa New Zealand. See our Laureate alumni here.  

Your gift will be doubled by a ‘match giver’

A generous family, The Blackwell Family, have come to the party as a match donor for New Zealand’s Laureate. They have given a $15,000 match gift, so every dollar that comes in from you will be automatically doubled. Together, we only need to raise $15,000 to ensure one more artist is given the life changing gift of a Laureate.

You’re in good company

New Zealanders who back this Arts Foundation Laureate will join our generous whānau of givers whose contribution enables six awards – some annually, some every second year.

The Hawkins Family, Sir Roger Hall, Marti and Gerrard Friedlander, Ann Mallinson, a collective of givers to the Dame Gaylene Preston Documentary Film Maker award, Theresa Gattung and Adrian Burr all support Laureate awards.

Our heartfelt thanks to our generous community for their remarkable support in recognising future Laureates ­­– we can’t wait to add another one (or maybe even two…) to the line-up by 13 August.

From $5–$15 000, anything goes. It’s all in the name of backing Aotearoa’s greatest artists.  

Experience what it’s like to be part of a collective backing an artist and you'll be the first to know who is awarded ‘your award’ late September and we hope to bring this crowd together at one of our great events.