Arts Foundation of New Zealand

Arts Foundation of New Zealand

Formation	2000
Legal status	Charity
Purpose	Fund-raising and providing grants for arts, culture and heritage
Location	Christchurch
Region served	New Zealand
Budget	NZD 1.12m (2010)
Staff	3
Volunteers	1
Website	www.thearts.co.nz

A facilitator of private philanthropy, the Arts Foundation of New Zealand Te Tumu Toi supports artistic excellence through raising funds for the arts and allocating it to New Zealand artists across multi platforms.

The foundation produces award programmes that provide recognition and a money prize to New Zealand artists working in across all art forms. This includes writers, fine artists, musicians, dancers, choreographers, theatre-makers and screen artists.^[1][2]

Background[]

The Arts Foundation started in 1998. In 2002 Simon Bowden was appointed to director and in 2003 they held their first awards.^[3][4] By 2008 the Arts Foundation had established an endowment fund of $6 million and donated $3 million to over 100 artists across arts disciplines.^[5]

In 2012 the Arts Foundation launched Boosted a crowdsourced funding platform.^[6] The Arts Foundation Awards celebrate achievement in an artists career. Donations come from Patrons of the Arts Foundation and other sources and are awarded directly to artists at the annual New Zealand Arts Awards.^[1]

Promotion of the arts is also part of the mandate of the Ats Foundation. In September 2019, the Arts Foundation launched the first New Zealand Arts Month. This campaign was supported by Creative NZ, Chartwell Trust, NZME, Phantom and Go Media.^[3]

Awards[]

There is no application for the awards, artists are selected by an independent panel of arts peers or curators so recipients of awards are selected without their knowing they are under consideration by independent panels. The arts foundation administers this process.^[7][8]

The Icon Awards, Whakamana Hiranga recognise a lifetime of achievement. Artists considered to have prominence and outstanding potential receive The Laureate Award. Artists in the early stages of their career were selected to receive a New Generation Award, and now receive a Springboard Award and mentorship from a Laureate or Icon.^[3]

In partnership, the foundation produces the Marti Friedlander Photographic Award, of $25,000NZD to assist the career of a photographer, and the Harriet Friedlander Residency, which is a residency in New York valued at $80,000NZD.

The Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award was presented for the first time in 2011. The award is presented every two years to a children's book illustrator with published work of a high standard and includes a cash gift of $15,000.^[9][10]

The Arts Foundation also administers the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship awarding a residency to Menton in France for a writer.^[11][7]

Supporters of the arts are also recognised. Every year an individual, couple or trust is honoured with the Award for Patronage and are gifted $20,000NZD by the foundation to distribute to artists or art projects of their choice. From time to time the foundation honours an individual or institution that has contributed to the arts through the Governors' Award.

Icon Award[]

The 2013 recipients of Arts Foundation Icon Awards, at a reception at Government House, Wellington. Left to right: Cliff Whiting, Jacqueline Fahey, Geoff Murphy, Kiri Te Kanawa, and Ian Athfield.

The Arts Foundation of New Zealand established the Icon Awards as a means to celebrate and acknowledge New Zealand art-makers who have achieved the highest standards of artistic expression.^[12]

Limited to a living circle of 20, Icons are pioneers and leaders from all arts disciplines, living and working around the world. To date, 41 artists have been acknowledged as Icons. In 2003, eight artists were honoured, followed by one in 2004, seven in 2005, five in 2007, five in 2011, five in 2013, two in 2015, five in 2018, and three in 2020.^[13]

Each Icon receives a medallion and pin designed by sculptor John Edgar. The recipient is gifted the pin in perpetuity, while the medallion is presented to a successor at a future Icon Award ceremony following the artist's death.

In 2008 the Arts Foundation began commissioning oral histories from Icons. In time, the foundation hopes that an oral history will be deposited with the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington covering the life of each Icon artist. This will ensure the artists' stories are on public record and available for future generations.

In October 2020, multiple allegations of historical sexual abuse were made against composer Jack Body, who had received the award in 2015 shortly before his death, by a number of his former students.^[14] In November 2020, the allegations were described by Victoria University as "very credible", and the Arts Foundation announced that it had suspended Body's status as an Arts Icon while it "awaited further information".^[15]

Living Icons[]

	Name	Portrait	Year of award	Age	Discipline
1	Sir Miles Warren ONZ KBE		2003	92	Architect
2	Maurice Gee		2003	90	Novelist
3	Sir Donald McIntyre CBE		2004	88	Opera singer
4	ONZM QSM		2005	90–91	Choreographer
5	Patricia Grace DCNZM QSO		2005	84	Writer
6	Ans Westra CNZM		2005	85	Photographer
7	Dame Gillian Weir DBE		2011	80	Organist
8	Greer Twiss ONZM		2011	84	Sculptor
9	Sir Peter Jackson ONZ KNZM		2011	59	Filmmaker
10	Jacqueline Fahey ONZM		2013	91–92	Painter
11	Dame Kiri Te Kanawa ONZ CH DBE AC		2013	77	Opera singer
12	MNZM		2015	98–99	Visual artist
13	Albert Wendt ONZ CNZM		2018	82	Writer
14	Fred Graham ONZM		2018	92–93	Carver and sculptor
15	Bill Manhire CNZM		2018	74	Writer
16	Dame Gillian Whitehead DNZM		2018	80	Composer
17	Joy Cowley ONZ DCNZM OBE		2020	85	Writer
18	Sam Neill DCNZM OBE		2020	73	Actor
19	Sandy Adsett MNZM		2020	82	Visual artist

Deceased Icons[]

Name	Portrait	Year of award	Date of death	Discipline
Hone Tuwhare		2003	16 January 2008	Poet
Diggeress Te Kanawa CNZM QSO		2003	30 July 2009	Weaver
Ralph Hotere ONZ		2003	24 February 2013	Painter
Janet Frame ONZ CBE		2003	29 January 2004	Writer
Milan Mrkusich ONZM		2003	13 June 2018	Visual artist
Len Castle DCNZM CBE		2003	29 September 2011	Potter
CBE		2005	28 September 2017	Musician
Alexander Grant CBE		2005	30 September 2011	Ballet dancer
Pakaariki Harrison QSO		2005	29 December 2008	Carver
Margaret Mahy ONZ		2005	23 July 2012	Writer
MBE		2005	18 January 2012	Opera singer
Don Selwyn ONZM		2007	13 April 2007	Actor
Don Peebles ONZM		2007	27 March 2010	Painter
Arnold Manaaki Wilson MNZM QSM		2007	1 May 2012	Sculptor
Raymond Boyce MBE		2007	1 August 2019	Theatre designer
Barbara Anderson		2011	24 March 2013	Writer
Marti Friedlander CNZM		2011	14 November 2016	Photographer
Sir Ian Athfield KNZM		2013	16 January 2015	Architect
Geoff Murphy ONZM		2013	3 December 2018	Filmmaker
Cliff Whiting ONZ		2013	3 December 2018	Artist and heritage advocate
Jack Body ONZM (currently suspended)		2015	10 May 2015	Composer
Billy Apple ONZM		2018	6 September 2021	Visual artist

Laureate Award[]

To start with there were five artists honoured annually at the New Zealand Arts Awards ceremony receiving a Laureate Award of a NZ$50,000 grant each and a commissioned sculpture by Terry Stringer. No awards were awarded in 2018, and in 2019 the amount of the prize changed to NZ$25,000, new partnerships and awards were introduced and the Laureate Award will be given to up to ten practising artists.^[16]

Named awards[]

Established in 2019:

• The Theresa Gattung Female Arts Practitioners Award (awarded every year)
• The Burr/ Tatham Trust Award (awarded every second year)
• Gaylene Preston Documentary Film Makers Award (NZ$30,000 awarded every second year)

Established in 2020:

• The Sir Roger Hall Theatre Award (NZ$25,000 awarded every second year, $5,000 awarded to more people the other year as Out of the Limelight awards)^[17]
• The My Art Visual Arts Award (awarded every year)
• Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Award

Laureate Artists are New Zealanders practicing in any arts discipline, located anywhere in the world. The criteria has changed away from the terminology of 'best' which is subjective in the arts, instead focusing on the significance of work and the impact on New Zealand.^[18][19] The Arts Foundation website states:

Arts Foundation Laureate Awards celebrate and empower New Zealand’s most outstanding practising artists - artists whose practise also has an impact on New Zealand.^[20]

Laureates are able to use their award in any way they choose, for example, in the creation of new works, or the freedom to concentrate time and resources into the development of their career.^[21]

Recipients[]

Out of the Limelight Award recipients for 2021 were:^[17]

• Elizabeth Whiting – costume designer
• Marcus McShane – lighting designer and visual artist
• Harold Moot – set designer
• Eric Gardiner – stage manager
• Playmarket – the playwrights’ agency and script development organisation

New Generation Award[]

The Arts Foundation of New Zealand New Generation Awards, celebrate artists’ early achievements through an investment in each recipient’s career. Biennially, five artists are awarded $25,000NZD each, and a sculpture designed by glass artist Christine Cathie. Although still at an early stage of their career, the artists will have already demonstrated excellence and innovation through their work.

Similar to other Arts Foundation Awards, the New Generation Award may be presented to an artist working in any arts discipline. Teacher, critic, theorist and organiser of contemporary creative practices, Jon Bywater (Auckland) curated the award in 2006, while writer, teacher, painter, curator Gregory O'Brien (Wellington) undertook the role in 2008 and arts radio journalist Lynn Freeman in 2010.^[23]

Recipients[]

Springboard Award[]

From 2020 a Springboard award is given to up to ten emerging artists. This consists of NZ$15,000 and mentoring from one of the alumni of Arts Foundation Laureates, Icons, New Generation, residency or Fellowship recipients. Criteria relates to potential for a sustainable career.^[24]

Recipients[]

Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award[]

The inaugural Mallinson Rendel Illustrators award, initially worth $10,000 occurred in 2011. It has been awarded every two years up to 2017, and has increased in value.

Recipients[]

• David Elliot (2011)
• Gavin Bishop (2013)
• (2015)^[25][26]
• Donovan Bixley (2017)^[27]

Award for Patronage[]

The Arts Foundation of New Zealand Award for Patronage is made annually to a person, couple, or private trust for the outstanding private contributions they have made to the arts. The Award for Patronage is presented by Perpetual Trust.

As a community of artists and arts supporters, the Arts Foundation honours those who contribute significantly as patrons. Annually, a donation of $20,000NZD from the Arts Foundation is provided to the recipient of this award for them to distribute to artists, arts projects or arts organisations of their choice. Philanthropists Denis and Verna Adam (2006), Dame Jenny Gibbs (2007), Lady Gillian and Sir Roderick Deane (2008),^[28] Adrienne, Lady Stewart (2009) and Gus & Irene Fisher (2010) have been recipients. All recipients have chosen to double the funds for distribution through a matching contribution of $20,000NZD, with Gus and Irene Fisher donating $30,000NZD of their own funds, meaning an annual distribution of up to $50,000NZD. Recipients have also chosen to distribute an amount of $10,000 each to artists and /or arts projects

Governors' Award[]

The Arts Foundation of New Zealand Governors' Award recognises an individual or institution that has contributed in a significant way to the development of the arts and artists in New Zealand. The recipients are chosen by Arts Foundation Governors, with each recipient receiving a plaque designed by Auckland artist Jim Wheeler.

To date two awards have been made:

The inaugural recipient was the University of Otago in recognition of its contribution to the arts community through its Burns, Hodgkins and Mozart Fellowships. The three Fellowships were set up through the generosity of anonymous benefactors and have subsequently been funded by additional grants to maintain their value.

The second presentation was made to Concert FM (now Radio New Zealand Concert). The Arts Foundation of New Zealand Governors recognised the contribution that Concert FM has made in supporting New Zealand composers, musicians, writers and actors at a national level. The Arts Foundation also acknowledged Concert FM's contribution to the arts through its recording collaborations and the Douglas Lilburn Prize (a joint initiative between Concert FM and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra).

In 2009 a third presentation was made to the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth. In making their selection, Arts Foundation Governors acknowledged the commitment by the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery to the cause of contemporary art, particularly from Aotearoa New Zealand, over the last four decades.

Marti Friedlander Photographic Award[]

The Marti Friedlander Photographic Award, supported by the Arts Foundation of New Zealand is presented every two years to an established photographer with a record of excellence and the potential to carry on producing work at high levels. The award includes a donation of $25,000NZD for the photographer to use as they please.

The inaugural recipient selected and announced by Marti Friedlander, was – a widely exhibited artist and a finalist in a number of awards, including the 2008 Walters Prize. Extended family and immediate community are primary subjects for Edith; she collaborates closely with her Christchurch and Auckland relatives as well as people she grew up with in West Auckland.^[29]

(an independent social documentary photographer, renowned particularly for his protest images) and Mark Adams (a photographer working with subjects of cross-cultural significance) were joint recipients in 2009.

Recipients[]

• Edith Amituanai (2007)
• John Miller and Mark Adams (2009)
• (2011)
• (2013)
• (2015)
• (2017)

Harriet Friedlander Residency[]

On 26 June 2008, the Harriet Friedlander Scholarship Trust and the Arts Foundation launched a new international residency.^[30] A supporter of the arts, Harriet Friedlander also loved the vibrant culture of New York. When Michael and Harriet Friedlander and their sons Jason and Daniel designed the residency, Harriet was clear that she did not want to place any expectations or responsibilities on the recipient. An artist was to be sent to New York to have an "experience", all expenses paid, so that they could immerse themselves in the culture and process it in their own way.^[30]

One of the most generous residencies offered to a New Zealand artist, up to $80,000NZD is made available every two years for their travel and living expenses. This opportunity is available to an artist aged 30 to 40, practicing in any discipline.^[30] The inaugural curator was Gregory O'Brien and the inaugural recipient was filmmaker Florian Habicht. Visual artist was selected in 2010 by arts journalist Lynn Freeman.

Recipients[]

• film maker Florian Habicht (2009)
• multimedia visual artist (2010)
• playwright and actor Arthur Meek (2012)
• choreographer, dancer and video artist Louise Potiki Bryant (2014)
• filmmaker/cinematographer (2016)
• filmmaker/writer/director (2016)
• composer and saxophonist (2018)
• dancer and choreographer (2018)
• performance artist (2021)^[31]

References[]

External links[]

• Arts Foundation website
• Friedlander Foundation
• Boosted