Molly Morpeth Canaday Award 2026

The Molly Morpeth Canaday Award (MMCA) is one of New Zealand's prominent visual arts prizes, welcoming entries from any artist who lives permanently in New Zealand or holds NZ citizenship.

What you can enter

Work can be in any 2D or 3D visual arts discipline intended for wall or flat surface presentation. All works must be original, owned by the artist, completed after 30 March 2025, and not previously exhibited in another art award or competition. Size limits apply: the longest side (including framing) must not exceed 2000mm, and weight limits vary by presentation type.

Entry details

• Entries open: 9am Monday 13 April 2026
• Entries close: 5pm Friday 31 July 2026
• Early bird entry fee: $45 per entry (until 17 July 2026)
• Standard entry fee: $55 per entry (after 17 July 2026)
• Up to three entries per artist; a separate form is required for each
• Entry fees are non-refundable

Judging process

All submissions go through a blind pre-selection process — judges score entries based on digital images and artist statements without knowing the artist's name. Outcomes are announced via the website on Monday 21 September 2026. Selected finalists then deliver their physical works to Whakatāne Art Gallery, where a Guest Judge makes final award decisions in person after installation.

Exhibition

The finalist exhibition runs from 15 November 2026 to 27 February 2027 at Whakatāne Art Gallery – Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi. All finalist works must remain on display for the full exhibition period and are available for sale (35% commission applies to any sales, inclusive of GST).

Delivery and return

Works must arrive at the gallery between 28 September and 7 October 2026. Couriered works must include a return ticket. Personal pick-up or courier dispatch of unsold works is coordinated from Monday 8 March 2027.

All artworks on consignment are covered by the Whakatāne Art Gallery's insurance policy for the duration of the exhibition.