National Contemporary Art Award 2027
Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery · Hamilton, New Zealand
New Zealand's leading open contemporary art award, now biennial, with a $20,000 first prize and over $30,000 in cash prizes, judged blind by a guest judge. Entries for 2027 are expected to open in March 2027.
Your eligibility
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Who can enter
- Location
- Open worldwide
- Age
- No age limit
- Career stage
- Any
- Mediums
- Any medium
- Submission
- Online, then physical if shortlisted
- Also
- Eligibility for 2027 to be confirmed in the terms and conditions; previous editions were open to artists in Aotearoa New Zealand.
About
The National Contemporary Art Award has been run by Waikato Museum in Hamilton since 2000 and received a record 480+ entries in 2025, from which 53 finalists were selected. The award is now held every two years; the next edition is in 2027.
Judging is blind: a guest judge (Nigel Borell in 2025) selects the finalists and winners. Prizes are $20,000 for the winner, $7,500 runner-up and $1,000 merit awards, totalling more than $30,000. Winners are announced at the opening gala for the finalists' exhibition at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery.
Entries typically open in March with finalists announced in May. The 2027 terms and conditions, fee and closing date have not yet been published.
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