NZ Contemporary Art Trust / The Kate Edger Foundation
New Zealand Contemporary Art Award is a grant offered by NZ Contemporary Art Trust / The Kate Edger Foundation (Auckland, NZ). Applications close on 3 November 2026. Funding or payment: $5,000 NZD. It is free to enter.
A $5,000 annual award for NZ students in their third year or above of a visual arts-related degree at an Auckland or Northland tertiary institute, exploring the relationship between art and society.
The New Zealand Contemporary Art Award is a $5,000 annual scholarship for students committed to understanding the relationship between art and society. Funded by the NZ Contemporary Art Trust through The Kate Edger Foundation, it supports students enrolled full-time in their third year or above of a Bachelor or Postgraduate Degree in a visual arts-related field at an approved Auckland or Northland tertiary institute.
Approved institutions include the University of Auckland, AUT, Unitec, Manukau Institute of Technology, Whitecliffe College of Art and Design, Northtec, Laidlaw College, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, and Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
Applicants don't need to be practising artists — those studying any aspect of the visual arts sector are welcome to apply. The award can be used toward fees and/or living costs, and includes a 12-month membership to Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Art Gallery.
Selection is based on commitment to a career in the visual arts, your personal statement (up to 300 words), academic record (GPA from the most recent two years of graded study), a confidential referee report, financial need, and any special circumstances such as family responsibilities or disability. Māori and Pasifika backgrounds are given positive consideration, though all backgrounds are welcome.
Applicants must be New Zealand Citizens or Permanent Residents. Students studying part-time due to a disability may apply with supporting documentation and, if successful, will receive a pro-rata amount.
To apply, email your completed application form, certified academic transcripts (or a statutory declaration for downloaded documents), evidence of citizenship or permanent residency, and a confidential referee report to awards@kateedgerfoundation.org.nz by 3 November 2026.
