Got an idea - but don't know how to bring it to life?

Want a chance to test yourself nationally - but don't where to look?

Have a desire to show your talents to your community - but need inspiration on how to do it?

Want to share your culture with the world - but not sure how to start?

There are so many great opportunities for artists of Aotearoa to express themselves and to have their work seen and appreciated in exhibitions, on stages and on the streets of this country and beyond.

To guide you on your way - here's a list of some of the best call for entries open across New Zealand right now - but hurry, some of these entries are closing soon! 

ILT Murihiku Art Awards 2024

Entries Close 6 September, 2024

The Invercargill Public Art Gallery and the Southland Art Society - organisers of the well-known Annual Spring Exhibition and the ILT Art Awards - are teaming up to present something brand new at He Waka Tuia: the ILT Murihiku Art Awards 2024.

All mediums welcome -  Painting, Printmaking, 3D Sculpture, Jewellery, Photography/Digital Graphic, Video Work. 

All works must be one-off, original artworks and completed in the last year. 

Among the prizes on offer - The $8,000 Supreme Award, $4,000 Runner-up and $2,000 Third Place prize, as well as the IPAG or SAS Membership award, the Beattie McDowell Southland Award, Innovation award, People's Choice and Ranatahi award.

Lake House Arts - Call for Exhibition Proposals 

Entries Close 15 September, 2024

Lake House Arts is pleased toinvite artists at all stages of their careers, from emerging talents to established creators, to submit their exhibition proposals for 2025.

Exhibition spaces include the Becroft Gallery, Ogle Gallery, Pop Up Studio, Hamblin Gallery and Tindall Room, with varying exhibition lengths, all situated in our historic A* Heritage-rated building on Barry’s Point Reserve. Satellite exhibition opportunities are also available.

Lake House Arts is seeking compelling exhibition proposals that demonstrate a cohesive body of work, either exhibition-ready or near completion. Artists can submit proposals for solo or group exhibitions. Collaborative joint exhibitions can also be facilitated. All mediums are welcome.

Proposals which align with other cultural events, including Matariki, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Auckland Photography Festival, Diwali and EcoFest are encouraged. Preference will be given to artists who are willing to provide artist talks, live demonstrations or workshops during their exhibition season.

Molly Morpeth Canaday Award 2025 (MMCA 2025)

Entries Close 27 October, 2024

Arts Whakatāne proudly presents MMCA 2025 - Aotearoa New Zealand’s longest-running art prize.

Celebrating excellence in contemporary art across the nation, this prestigious award invites artists to enter their best work for their chance to be in the running for one of the country's most esteemed art competitions. Open to all artforms, you may enter up to three separate entries.

Earlybird entry is $40 - after 13 October 2024, entry fee is $50.  

Among the prizes on offer - The Molly Morpeth Canaday Major Award - $10,000; The Akel Award Runner Up - $4,000
The Craigs Investment Partners Youth Award  - $2,500; The Mayor's Prize - $1,500; Robinson Law Highly Commended Award - $1,500; Merit Award sponsored by Our Place Magazine - Three page feature in OPM ($4,500 value); Merit Award sponsored by Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology - $500; Merit Award sponsored by Browne School of Art - $500
Merit Award sponsored by Gordon Harris - $500 product; Merit Award sponsored by Frames by Daniel - $500 product;
Merit Award sponsored by 4Artsake Gallery, Ōhope - $500; People's Choice Award sponsored by Whakatāne Society of Arts and Crafts and Anne Tolley- $500

The Preliminary Judges are Fiona Jack (Head of School, Fine Art, Auckland University), Dr. Elliot Collins, Ph.D. Visual Art. (Artist and researcher) and James Gatt (Curator, Te Uru) - with Guest Judge Sonya Korohina (Director, Tauranga Art Gallery, Toi Tauranga).

RT Nelson Awards for Sculpture

Entries close 27 October, 2024

These prestigious awards highlight the diversity of small-scale works so that art lovers can enjoy sculpture within their homes.

The awards are open to all New Zealand sculptors. They offer a rare opportunity for sculptors to demonstrate their talent and be recognised for their artistic vision. There is no application fee. Applications close October 31.

A total prize pool of $25,000 will be awarded: 1 x Premier Award – $15,000; 2 x Highly Commended Awards – $2,000 each; 1 x People’s Choice Award – 2,000. The remaining finalists will receive $250 each

The award-winning NZ Art Show is proud to host the finalists, May 29 – June 1, at the TSB Arena, where the winners will be announced and all the artworks will be for sale.

The judges for the awards have been announced - renowned art dealer Hamish McKay and internationally recognised sculptural jeweller - Karl Fritsch.

British Council Connections Through Culture grant applications

Entries Close 2 September, 2024

Entries Closed

Connections Through Culture grants support new cultural collaborations between New Zealand and the UK. There must be a New Zealand partner and a UK partner to be eligible.

Our Connections Through Culture grants help artists and cultural organisations to bring their ideas to life – with projects eligible at any stage of development and across artforms. The collaborative projects can include digital, face-to-face, and/or hybrid artistic projects. 

While we accept applications covering all artforms and outcomes, applications that respond to the priority themes of Diversity and Inclusion and Climate Change may be prioritised during final decision-making.

The grant (of up to GBP 5,000) should be used to support the process to develop new projects with artistic expression or creativity at the core and that will result in collaborative activities including artistic and creative exchange of either skills, knowledge and practice or the co-production towards new artistic and creative content.  

Various approaches can be employed such as art residencies, exhibitions, performances and showcases, publications, webinars, and conferences, among others. 

Objectspace's Annual Courtyard Plinth Commission

Entries Close 2 September, 2024

Entries Closed

Objectspace welcomes proposals for the annual Courtyard Plinth Commission supported by the Jan Warburton Charitable Trust. The successful proposal will detail an innovative installation that responds to the gallery’s courtyard exhibition space. Practitioners in the craft, design and architecture fields are encouraged to submit a proposal for this unique commission opportunity – which could see their work launched at Objectspace in April 2025.

A concrete plinth (5,300 x 4,500mm) defines the installation area and is visible to viewers as they enter Objectspace’s carpark and from the street front. The plinth sits under the large-scale white façade (Elevation between plinth and façade: 2,800mm) that gives Objectspace its architectural identity at 13 Rose Road, Ponsonby.

Objectspace will contribute a budget of $10,000 to the commission, and the additional costs of freight and installation.

Proposals will be accepted until 5pm, Monday 2 September 2024.

Chorus Cabinet Art Project 2024

Entries Closed

Creative Bay of Plenty, in collaboration with Chorus and The Breeze Tauranga, is excited to announce the 2024 round of the Chorus Cabinet Art Project. We are calling all talented artists and visual storytellers to take part in this paid opportunity to revitalise our urban spaces.

Imagine your artwork brightening up the telecommunications cabinets across our region. These once overlooked structures will become vibrant canvases showcasing your creative vision.

This is your chance to leave a lasting mark on our community. By participating, you’ll not only exhibit your artistic style but also engage with the public in a meaningful way. Selected artists will be compensated for their contributions.

This year’s theme is BOP 2124: Depicting what life in the Bay might look like in 100 years. Designs must fit this theme to be considered.

There are ten cabinets to be painted across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty. They are located at:

28 Marshall Rd, Katikati; 170 Seaforth Ave, Waihī Beach; 1 Castlewold Dr, Bethlehem; 38 Doncaster Dr, Pāpāmoa; 3 Dunlop Rd, Te Puke; 43 Jonathon St, Tauranga; 6 Bureta Rd, Tauranga; 58 Russley Dr, Mt Maunganui; 18 Commons Ave, Mt Maunganui, Cnr Pacific Ave & Rita St, Mt Maunganui.

Got a call for entry, creative opportunity, job or event you want the creative community to know about? Click here to find out how to get your listing on The Big Idea.