laureate awards

Presented by Forsyth Barr

The Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate Awards are an investment in excellence. Annually, five exceptional New Zealand artists are awarded $50,000 each in recognition of their artistic achievements and as a challenge to continue working at high levels. Into its eighth year, the Arts Foundation has acknowledged thirty-nine outstanding Laureate Artists, with donations totalling $1.65 million.

At a quarter of a million dollars, the Laureate Awards are one of New Zealands largest cash awards, and the only private award covering all art forms. Laureate artists can apply their Award in any way they choose, for example the creation of new works or the freedom to devote resources and time to the development of their careers.

Laureate artists are selected without knowing they are under consideration by a panel of peers, who use their collective knowledge to select high performing artists as companions to the previously Awarded Laureates.

In addition to the cash Award, each artist receives a bronze Terry Stringer statuette (pictured above). Among the rich metaphores in Stringer's work is the inverse image of a tui, representing the artist in flight, reaching greater heights. Laureates also receive a page on the Arts Foundation's website and are invited to participate in the popular Forsyth Barr Laureates On-Stage events (Overall winner of the 2006 NBR Award for Sponsorship of the Arts).

The 2007 Laureate Award recipients were announced in Wellington on 21 November. They are Michael Houstoun, Sarah-Jayne Howard, Colin McColl, Moana Maniapoto and Merilyn Wiseman.  

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The Arts Foundation offers you the opportunity to contribute directly to a future Laureate by becoming a Laureate Donor. If you would like to find out how you can support the Laureate programme, please contact the Arts Foundation.