About the Arts Foundation
New Zealand artists are loved around the world, so much so that people are willing to dig deep to support them. We, at the Arts Foundation, think this is great. Being able to give a little, or a lot, means anyone and everyone can be involved in the arts.
The Arts Foundation was instigated 10 years ago by patrons wanting to support our finest artists to create more work. Our founders had some very good ideas about how artists could be supported, without red tape or any conditions. They also had good ideas about how the people, that support these artists, could be closely involved.
We are now established as an exciting organisation to be a part of as a patron or sponsor. It is even more exciting to become part of the Foundation if you are an artist who receives one of our magic calls!
Artists are selected for awards, such as our $50,000 Laureate Award, without their knowing they are being considered. The only way to become a recipient of one of our awards is through this surprise call. These moments are magic. They change the lives of the recipients, giving them an extraordinary boost. The selecting of recipients is a serious business which is done by experts on our behalf.
Not all our awards are financial. Our highest honour is a non-financial award, called the Icon Award. This award is limited to a living circle of twenty stellar artists.
You can make a one off donation, become a member on an annual subscription, or leave us a legacy. You can work in partnership with us to create a fund for a specific purpose, such as an award for one particular art form. All donations help us build our endowment fund. Income from this fund is used to support artists. Funding for the office and events comes from corporate sponsors, trusts and our members. We are independent from government.
When you give to the Arts Foundation, the world of artists opens up to you. We travel around New Zealand, with events and awards, featuring artists in discussion and performance. We maintain this website, provide regular emailed updates, and produce a newsletter twice a year. We explore the arts through the people that create it and have found that their ideas are windows through which to explore the arts and all its colours.