One Extraordinary Artist

We are out and about looking, secretly watching, searching for extraordinary artists. When we find them, we surprise them with cash awards to invest in their careers for the benefit of us all. 

Join the fun. Help us fund one $25,000 New Generation Award and come on the journey with us as we change the life of one extraordinary artist. 

Arts Foundation Awards are made possible by the generosity of Patrons and Donors. Each year at the Westpac New Zealand Arts Awards we announce three $25,000 New Generation Awards. All recipients are selected by an independent panel of experts without the artists knowing they are under consideration. New Generation Award recipients are early career artists with proven ability and enormous potential. Previous recipients include visual artist, Alex Monteith, film maker, Taikia Waititi, theatre practitioner, Jo Randerson and musician, Warren Maxwell.

The 2015 Arts Foundation selection panel will meet in July this year. We'll let you know when the artist that you have supported has been selected. We'll let you know the reaction they have when we give them the exciting news. We then hope you will attend the Westpac New Zealand Arts Awards on 2 November this year to be the first to hear who the recipient is. 

The moment an artist learns of their award from the Arts Foundation can be life changing. The call out of the blue makes the artist feel valued and trusted, like someone is watching and someone cares. The Award comes with no strings attached so the artist can apply it to anything that helps them continue to be an artist. In this way the awards are freedom.

Artists are great New Zealanders, let's support them for to grow a richer future for the arts. 

Image Credits:

1) Photographer: Robert Catto - Warren Maxwell accepting his New Generation Award at a ceremony in 2006. 

2) Photographer: Robert Catto - New Generation Award inaugural recipients, 2006.