ILT Murihiku Art Awards 2026

The ILT Murihiku Art Awards 2026 is a national contemporary visual art competition jointly presented by the Invercargill Public Art Gallery (IPAG) and the Southland Art Society, hosted at He Waka Tuia art gallery in Invercargill.

Open to visual artists from across Aotearoa New Zealand at any stage of their career — from emerging creators to established practitioners — the awards celebrate innovation and creative excellence across all visual art mediums. Eligible works include everything from traditional printmaking and sculpture to digital media and contemporary jewellery.

Eligibility:

• Artists may submit up to two original, one-off artworks
• Works must have been completed within the last 12 months
• Works must not have been previously exhibited in the Murihiku region

2026 Prize Categories (total pool: $20,000 NZD):

• Supreme Award: $8,000
• 2nd Prize: $4,000
• 3rd Prize: $2,000
• IPAG or SAS Membership Award: $2,000
• Beattie McDowell Southland Award (in memory of Mick Hesselin): $2,000
• Innovation Award: $1,000
• People's Choice Award: $500
• Rangatahi Award: $500

Finalists and winners are selected by an independent judging panel and announced at an opening event at He Waka Tuia. Entries are accepted exclusively online — head to the application link to access the entry form and conditions of entry.