Adam Portraiture Award
Frequently Asked Questions
Adam Portraiture Award 2016 opening
What is the Adam Portraiture Award?
The Adam Portraiture Award is a biennial portrait award for painted portraits hosted and administered by The New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata. It has been running since 2002 and is one of the country’s longest running art prizes. The Award culminates in The Adam Portraiture Award exhibition in which all the finalists and the winners are shown at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery.
The next Adam Portraiture Award exhibition runs from 23 May – 11 August 2024.
Who has won in the past?
Previous winners include Jessica Gurnsey in 2022, Sacha Lees in 2020, Logan Moffat in 2018, André Brönnimann in 2016, Henry Christian-Slane in 2014, Stephen Martyn Welch in 2012, Harriet Bright in 2010, Irene Ferguson in 2008, Freeman White in 2006, Ryuzo Nishida in 2004 and Marianne Muggeridge in 2002.
Who are the Judges?
Each year we invite two Judges to choose both the finalists and the winners of the Adam Portraiture Award. In 2024, we welcome Felicity Milburn, Lead Curator at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, and Wellington-based artist Karl Maughan, whose work has been purchased by the Saatchi Collection and the Arts Council of England.
Learn more about the judges
What are the prizes?
First prize - $20,000, chosen by the judges
Runner up - $2,500, chosen by the judges
People’s Choice - $2,500, decided by votes from Gallery visitors and awarded on the final day of the exhibition
How do I enter?
Artists enter the award through the entry form on our website. Entries to the 2024 Award have now closed.
Please note that you will be judged for selection phase solely on the photographic image submitted with your entry form. Images must be of sufficient quality for judging and be an accurate representation of the artwork.
How much does it cost to enter?
There is a $50 non-refundable fee to enter, and this is payable through our website after submission of your entry form. This fee goes towards the cost of administering the award.
What are the main conditions of the Award?
Artist must be a NZ resident or citizen
Subject(s) must be a NZ resident or citizen
Artworks must be predominantly painted e.g. acrylic, oil, pastel or watercolour.
(Smaller elements of other media eg. pencil or charcoal are acceptable)Portraits must have been completed in the last 2 years - after entries to the previous Award closed on 24 March 2022
What permissions do I need?
permission of the current owner and/or holder of copyright, if this is not you. This includes permission from other co-creators.
permissions either from the person(s) depicted, or, if deceased, consent from whanau or descendants.
permissions from any copyright holders or customary owner(s) of intellectual property used as source material in the creation of the work.
How do I seek permission?
It is recommended that you always obtain permission in writing from both copyright and/or customary owner(s) of intellectual property. Further guidance is available from the New Zealand Intellectual Property Office.
Is there a size restriction?
There is no size restriction for the portraits entered in the competition. Larger works, or complex shapes may not be toured.
What are the important dates I need to be aware of?
September 2023: Entries open
4pm, Thursday 21 March 2024: Entries close
12 April 2024: Finalist selection completed & finalists notified
10 May 2024: Deadline for finalists artworks to arrive at Gallery
20 May 2024: Final judging commences
22 May 2024: Winners announced
23 May – 11 August 2024: Exhibition runs at New Zealand Portrait Gallery
2024-2025 (TBC): Selection of finalists’ works tour to several venues around the country
When do I send in my portrait?
The initial selection process is done using the digital image submitted with your entry. Award finalists will be notified when to send in their physical portraits for final judging and the Adam Portraiture Award exhibition. Please note that the cost of courier for packaged artworks to the Gallery is at the expense of the artist.
When does the exhibition open?
The next Adam Portraiture Award exhibition runs from 23 May until 11 August 2024 at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery, Shed 11 on Wellington Waterfront. The gallery is open from 10:00am – 4:30pm daily.
What happens during the judging?
The initial selection is completed by the two judges. The digital image submitted by each artist is sent to the judges. The judges use these digital images, along with the medium and dimensions of each work, to decide the finalists (usually between 40 – 55 works).
The Adam Portraiture Award is judged blind. This means that during the initial selection phase, judges are not supplied with artist’s names, details, or biographies or statements submitted.
The shortlisted works are physically sent to the New Zealand Portrait Gallery to be hung for the final judging and exhibition. During the final hanging and judging phase, the judges will view the works in person, at the Gallery, and decide on an overall Winner, and Runner-Up. This takes place a few days before the exhibition opening.
The People’s Choice Award is decided by visitor votes and is announced on the final day of the exhibition at The New Zealand Portrait Gallery.
Who sponsors the Award?
The Adam Foundation, established by Denis and Verna Adam, has sponsored the Award since inception in 2002.
Are the portraits for sale?
Many of the portraits are for sale. It is up to the individual artist to decide whether they would like to sell their work. The New Zealand Portrait Gallery takes a 30% commission for handling the sales of the work.
Will the exhibition tour?
Yes. A selection of around 30 works from the Adam Portraiture Award exhibition tours multiple venues in the North and South Island. Artists will be notified around June/July 2024 if their work has been selected to tour.
If you have any more questions you can contact the gallery via the form below or:
(04) 472 2298