Open Calls for Artists — New Zealand

Open calls in New Zealand cover a wide range of opportunities: exhibition proposals, works for sale at art fairs, entries for prizes and awards, submissions for artist-run publications, and expressions of interest for public art commissions.

Gallery-run open submissions are common at artist-run spaces and smaller commercial galleries throughout the country. The International Art Show at Objectspace, the Parkin Drawing Prize, and the Wallace Arts Trust awards are among the most visible annual open calls for visual artists. Craft and object-based artists have strong representation through galleries like Objectspace, Masterworks Gallery, and the New Zealand Society of Artists in Glass.

Public art commissions are increasingly listed as open calls, particularly through Auckland Council's Public Art team, Wellington's Public Art Programme, and Ōtautahi Creative Spaces in Christchurch. These tend to be site-specific and come with detailed community engagement requirements.

Artist-run spaces — particularly in Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin — run their own open calls for residency exhibitions and group shows. Following these spaces on social media remains the most reliable way to catch short-notice opportunities.

Most open calls are free or low-cost to enter. Where entry fees apply, they typically support prizes or event costs. When submitting, read selection criteria carefully: many NZ open calls value work that responds to local contexts, landscapes, or communities.