Each year Kumeū Arts honors the exceptional talents of New Zealand artists through the Kumeū Arts Awards, connecting art with our supportive local businesses who generously provide the prizes.
Submit your entries using the online form available from the 1st of September - 15th of September.
If selected, your art will be showcased in all three galleries from November 5th to the 22nd.
Join us for a fun-filled Awards Night ceremony on November 2nd, when we bring the art community together to celebrate the winners. Representatives from our generous partner companies will present the prizes, making it a joyful and inclusive event you won't want to miss.
You have a chance to win one of 11 prizes, including monetary rewards and vouchers worth up to $1300!
All prize winners are invited to participate in the Winners Exhibition 2025.
Prizes Include: Supreme Winner - Prize value $1300 Second Place - Prize value $800 Third Place - Prize value $400 Highly Commended - Prize value $300 Highly Commended Photography - Prize value $300 Runner's Up - Prize value $100 Young artist (16-18) - Prize value $100 Young Artist (12-15) -Prize value $100 People’s Choice - Prize value $100
A heartfelt thank you to all our sponsors, artists, judges, and committee members! Your ongoing support helps us make a positive impact in our community. We are very grateful for your generous contributions.
The 2023 KAA Winners
Prizes 2023 Supreme Winner - Prize value $1300 - Girl on Boat by Yeonjae choi Second Place - Prize value $800 - Moving On by Val Enger Third Place - Prize value $400 - That Yellow Fruit by Oliver Cain Highly Commended - Prize value $300 - Mussels beard by Misty Lynn Highly Commended Photography - Prize value $300 - Deep Within by Judy Stokes 4x Runner's Up - Prize value $100 - Funnel Houses by Leah Hartley The Perilous Pot by Victoria Johnston Dyes Slaughterhouse by Sean Thompson Laminae: A Study In Graphite by Miki Nozomi Young artist (16-18) - Prize value $100 - Just How You Left It by Kyra Alkamil Young Artist (12-15) -Prize value $100 - Solitude by Saphira Walder People’s Choice - Prize value $100 - TBD
This is a selected exhibition. Due to space constraints, we do not accept all entries. The final decision on works accepted rests with Kumeu Arts. No correspondence will be entered in to regarding the selection of works. Artists will be notified of the selection by email by Oct 6th. NB: There are two weeks from this date until the last date for delivery.
The fee of $15 per entry (+ $5 per ‘youth’ entry) must be paid on the same day you submit this form. Entries will not be accepted if fees have not been paid. Entry fees include GST,
The entry fee is non-refundable, even if your work is not selected.
Insurance is the responsibility of the artist. While all care will be taken, Kumeū Arts will not be responsible for loss or damage while the work is in transit or while being exhibited.
This is an ‘open’ exhibition. Artists do not need to be a member of Kumeū Arts to enter.
Entry forms must be FULLY completed, including pricing. Incomplete entry forms and late entries will not be accepted. No changes to entries will be accepted after they have been sent.
All artworks must be for sale.
Kumeū Arts receives 34.50% commission on all sales (this includes KA GST). This will be deducted from the artist’s payment at the end of the exhibition. Sales are paid at the start of the following month. Artists are responsible for their own GST.
Entry age. Artists entering must be 12yrs or older. Young artists are eligible for all prizes. However, artists aged 12-18yrs must indicate they are entering one of the two ‘young artist’ categories on their entry form.
To enter the Kumeū Arts Awards you mustprovide a high-quality digital image (jpg maximum 1MB) of your work along with your entry for the selection process. Jpeg should be named the same as on entry form. You should be ready to upload these when you fill out the online form.
Work must have been completed within the last two years and NOT entered into any previous competition
Works must be originals. Excluding printmaking and photographic techniques, prints of original work will not be accepted.
A maximum of two artworks can be submitted per artist.
Media. Work in any media can be entered into the awards including three-dimensional work and photography.
Wet work will not be accepted.
Size restrictions. Two-dimensional works must be a maximum of 1000mm wide X 1000mm high (excluding framing). Weight must not exceed 5kg. Three-dimensional works must be free-standing and a maximum of 2000mm high by 1500mm in any other direction.
Photography Entries. To submit entries into the photography prize it must be created using the medium of photography (E.G. Camera, film or photographic printing techniques). Entries entered into the photography prize are still eligible to win other prizes.
Work must be clearly labelled on the back with artist’s name, title of work, and price (this must be the same name and title as on entry form).
Work must be suitably prepared for display i.e. mounted and/or framed, with hangers and tightly strung with string/cord. D-Rings are preferable.
Fragile works. Please advise us if any works are fragile and could potentially break
Work must be suitably packaged with bubble wrap, cardboard or boxed. All wrapping and packaging should be clearly labelled with the artist's name.
Work must remain in the exhibition until it finishes on Thursday the 30th of November. 5pm.
Selected work is to be delivered to Kumeū Arts Centre on the given dates/during gallery hours between Tues 17th - Sat 21st of Oct. Hours: Tues - Fri 9-5, Sat 10 am - 4 pm
Couriered work must arrive by Fri 20th Oct. Work will be returned at your cost. You must provide suitable bags, return tickets and packaging.
Unsold work to be collected on the given date. Kumeū Arts has very limited storage space therefore work not collected after 7 days of the given dates will incur a $10 per day storage fee. Work remaining uncollected after 2 months will become the property of KACI.
Images of exhibited works may be used by KACI for publicity purposes. By submitting this form, the artist gives their permission for KACI to do so.
The Judge will remain anonymous until the judging has been completed. Their decision is final and will not be called in to question.
KAA 2022
Awards Exhibition - November 1st – 26th 2022
Prizes 2022 Supreme Winner - Prize value $1300 - Stephanie Nierstenhoefer - for 'Wellesley Street West' Second Place - Prize value$800 - Stefanie Robinson for 'Woven landscape' Third Place - Prize value$400 - Riki Waugh for 'Point of View' Highly Commended - Prize value $300 - Davina Wang for 'My Eyes' Highly Commended Photography - Prize value $300 - Rachel Cullen for 'Exit' 3x Runner's Up - Prize value $100 Victoria Johnston for 'Fancy Lashes' Kirsten Ried for 'Bygone' Babrara von Sedia for "... the Light of Purity" Young artist (16-18) - Prize value $100 - Jessica Gurnsey for 'Lights! Camera! ... Young Artist (12-15) -Prize value $100 - Ronald Wang for 'Portrait' People’s Choice - Prize value $100 - TBD - Vote at Kumeu Arts
Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s Awards, our sponsors, and to Janet Mazenier, this year's judge.
To read Judge's comments download a 'Winners Catalogue' PDF below
About this year's judge – Janet Mazenier Janet is a practicing artist and arts educator based in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland. In her own art practice she engages with landscape. Her work acts as a kind of portal, accessing and interpreting place, space and land. Janet was a finalist in this year's National Contemporary Art Awards with the work “Milieu”. Her work has recently been included in group shows - the Mothermother iteration 14 lockdown special, The Places we Tread at Space Gallery, Whanganui, Spaces of Synchronicity, Uxbridge, Is It Real, Is It True, Flagstaff Gallery, Love Your Maunga, Maungauika/North Head, The River Runs Deep, George Fraser Gallery, Auckland. Janet completed her Master of Fine Arts (First Class Hons.) at Elam University of Auckland in 2021. Visit Janetmazenier.com
KAA 2022 Sponsors We are hugely grateful to this year’s sponsors without whom this event would not be possible.
2021 KAA
The 2021 Awards were held online due to Covid lockdowns. We received 92 entries during Lockdown for our fifth annual awards exhibition. As the lockdown continued we decided to hold the Awards online and we selected 80 to hang across both two virtual galleries in ‘Youth’ and ‘Adult’ sections. We used a platform called Exhibit.com. Prizes increased with an additional Photography prize and a new sponsor Print Art supporting us. Supreme Winner Arwen Flowers - 'Connected across time and distance' (Below)
Judge Virginia Were awarded prizes as follows:
Supreme Award Winner: Arwen Flowers, “Connected across time and distance”, mixed media Second place: Tracey Coakley, “Sing”, oil on board Third Place: Natalia Scott, “The Planet 2”, acrylic and pastel on 360gsm paper Highly Commended: Oliver Cain, “Banana Vase”, ceramic Runner Up 1: Natalie Gelder, “It’s raining”, oil on board Runner Up 2: Katie Russell, “Wolves in the Garden”, woodcut print Runner up 3: Cindy Scott, “The Village” Highly Commended Photo: Rahui Tailor, “Mother Nature 1”, photograph Youth – 16 – 18 years: Theeratatt Tongbai, “Untitled”, watercolour Youth - 12 – 15 years: Greer Stanton-Kerr, “Tyler, The Creator portrait”, oil on canvas
Thank you to all our sponsors of this event; Gordon Harris, The Picture Framers NZ, Art News, New World, Hallertau, Rollercoaster, Print Art, and Creative Matters, as well as our funders; The Rodney Local Board, Foundation North, and The Lotteries Grants Board.
Feedback for the awards: “I just wanted to say thank you. I am so impressed with the level of professionalism, and communication of your organisation. It blows all the others I have dealt with out of the water. I am also very impressed with the online exhibition, and it is proof that in this current climate, there are ways and means to do things, without resorting to cancellation. Absolutely brilliant job.” Tanya – artist
About the Judge Virginia Were is an award-winning poet, journalist and artist. Her two books of poetry, “Jump Start” and “Juliet Bravo Juliet” were published by Victoria University Press and her writing has been included in numerous literary magazines and anthologies of New Zealand writing. In her visual art practice, Virginia specialises in photography and video and her photograph, “Bondi Icebergs”, won the Second Runner-Up Award in the 2015 Wallace Art Awards. Her video work, “Orakei Korako”, was a finalist in the 2019 Wallace Art Awards. Before completing her MFA at Elam in 2017 and recently a Doctor of Fine Arts at Elam, Virginia was editor of the magazine "Art News New Zealand" for 17 years. She lives in Muriwai and loves riding horses.
Judge Andrew Rankinawarded prizes on the night as follows: 1st – Tracey Coakley- 'Brothers Frienemies - The Truce' - $1,000 and a 2 yr Art News Subscription 2nd – Hannah Rose Arnold 'Keepsake' $600 cash and 2 yr Art News Subscription 3rd - Magdalena Urbankova - 'Te Ngahere' $300 Cash and a $100 New World voucher Highly Commended –Mishka Patterson 'New York' $300 Gordon Harris voucher Runner-up - Beverly Towns 'The Gift' $100 New World voucher Runner up- Rachel Moore - 'Fractured' $100 New World voucher Young Artist 16-18 yrs - Davina Wang -'Time' $50 cash + $50 Gordon Harris Voucher Young Artist 12 - 15yrs - Ani Abraham - ‘2020'- $50 Gordon Harris Voucher
Judge – Andrew Rankin Andrew Rankin has been a finalist of the Wallace Art Awards the past four years; in 2019 he was awarded the Jury award. Also in 2019 Rankin was a finalist in the National Contemporary Art Awards, his most recent achievement is a finalist in the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award 2020. In addition, Rankin has been awarded a residency with Connells Bay Sculpture Trust Graduate Studio Residency at TeTuhi Studios Parnell. Andrew Rankin’s practice situates around contemporary sculpture and installation, with the conceptual view of repurposing environmental and atmospheric surroundings, preserving and posing these ideas in his given discipline. Such credentials fortify Rankin’s comprehension of the Art Sector. He has been an art educator for 15year and with a Masters in Fine Arts, Andrew is well adept as this year’s Kumeu Art Awards Judge. http://www.andrewrankin.org
Thanks to our sponsors...
- 2019 -
We want to thank all artists who have entered into our annual Kumeu Art Awards. The standard for 2019 was exceptional. We had a high intake in the young artist’s category which proves conducive towards the future of art in Aotearoa.
Judge Claire Ulenberg awarded prizes as on the night as follows: 1st – Sonja Drake 'Ferric Coruscation' 2nd – Julie Freeman 'Flamboyance' $500 prize Highly Commended- Carly Jade Anderson 'Hinengaro (jade)' $250 voucher Highly Commended –Gavin Chai 'Interior #6 (Hotel Room in Greymouth) $250 voucher Runner-up - Marina de Wit 'Madeleine' $100 voucher Runner up- Keith Victor Ancog 'The Cottage' $100 voucher Young Artist – Joint 1st- Meiya Julian Takahashi 'Mother Nature' $100 cash Young Artist – Joint 1st- Rebecca Kneale ‘Dad’ $100 cash Young Artist – Highly Commended - Jonathan Khoo ‘Expressionists’ $40 cash 2019 Judge – Claire Ulenberg Claire Ulenberg is a curator, consultant and arts writer. Claire has worked in private and public galleries in Aotearoa, Australia and Italy at the Venezia Biennale 2011 with the Australian Pavilion and in 2018 at the Venezia Architecture Biennale. She is Curator of MESH Public Sculpture Hamilton, developing public art projects with the artists, architectural team, engineers, council and the Mesh Foundation and full time working as the Art Manager at Brick Bay Sculpture Trail, Snells Beach.
Thanks to our sponsors...
- 2018 -
The Second Kumeu Art Awards
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the second Kumeu Art Awards and congratulations to our prize winners. The ceremony on Saturday was a big success and was attended by over 100 people, including artists, sponsors our committee and families and friends. Judge Linda Tyler awarded prizes as on the night as follows: 1st – Julie Freeman for 'Hidden Depths'. 2nd – Craig Humberstone for 'Shifting Worlds'. Highly Commended- Barbara Von Seida for 'Morning Light'. Highly Commended – Gavin Chai for 'A Hammer Game' Runner-up Valerie Cuthbert for 'Grounded'. Runner up- Di Morritt for 'Ceramics ‘Evocation of Spring'. Young Artist - Andrew Marmont for 'The Jetty'. It was a fantastic occasion and great way to celebrate our incredibly talented local community. Wine from local winery, the Hunting Lodge and Beer from local brewers Hallertau was served at our bar (donated for the night by local props company Rollercoaster) and food was given to our guests. KACI Chair Christine Rose spoke to a full Kumeu Arts Centre and thanked all our sponsors, such as, Gordon Harris, The Picture Framers NZ, Art News, New World, Hallertau, Rollercaoster, Hunting Lodge, Creative Matters as well as our funders The Rodney Local Board, Foundation North, and The Lotteries Grants Board.
AWARDS:
1st PRIZE - $1,000 + $100 New World Voucher + Subscription to Art News
Runners Up X2 1- $100 New World Voucher 2- $100 New World Voucher
People’s Choice Award $100 Hallertau Voucher + Subscription to Art News
Young Artist (13-18yrs) $80 Cash donated by Creative Matters
EXHIBITION DATES: Monday 5th – Saturday 23rd November 2018 Awards Night: Saturday 3rd November 2018 Venue: KUMEU ARTS CENTRE (300 MAIN ROAD. KUMEU)
A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
- 2017 -
The first inaugural Kumeu Art Awards was a big success. In total 70 artists entered 113 artworks. The awards ceremony on Saturday the 11thof November was attended by over 100 people, including artists, local board members, sponsors and families and friends. Wine from local winery, the Hunting Lodge and Beer from local brewers Hallertau was served at our bar (donated for the night by local props company Rollercoaster) and food was given to our guests.
It was a lovely occasion and opportunity to celebrate our creative community. KACI Chair Christine Rose spoke to a packed out Kumeu Arts Centre. She talked of about Kumeu Arts Centre’s journey and our desire to expand. She also, thanked all our sponsors, such as, Gordon Harris, The Picture Framers NZ, Art News, as well as the Local Board and Creative Communities who supported this event. Judge Andrew Rankin awarded prizes.
Prizes were awarded on the night as follows: 1st - Terry Prince for 'The Fisherman, Kare Kare'. 2nd - Gavin Chai for 'Gazed Away'. Highly Commended- Barbara Von Seida for 'Coastal Sunset'. Highly Commended - Kiri Abraham for 'Tent' Runner-up Leomie Willougghby-Ellis for 'When the Tide Retreats'. Runner up- Madelaine Abey-Koch for 'Ceramics on an antique Obi'. Young Artist - Andrew Marmont for 'Star Lit Driftwood'. The people’s choice awarded to Anna Filimonova for her painting ‘Opportunities IV- Kea over Mt. John’.
The exhibition was attended by approx. 800 people who left comments in our visitor’s book such as; ‘Fabulous Show’, ‘Such an impressive array of work and great to see Kumeu Arts Centre moving forward’, ‘Wonderful display of diverse, competent works.’ We sold six artworks totaling $2800.