The Arts
Are Powered
By People

Join Us

Back The Arts

Meet your Out of the Limelight Recipients

Celebrating unsung theatre heroes: every two years, five behind-the-scenes practitioners receive $5,000 thanks to the generosity of Sir Roger Hall – recognising their vital, often unseen contributions to theatre.

Get to know our five outstanding practitioners

2000 Laureate Briar Grace Smith ONZM at All in for Arts: He waka toi e eke noa nei tātou Te Waiharakeke Blenheim 2024

Missed the Tour?

We’ve wrapped All in for Arts: He waka toi e eke noa nei tātou for 2025 – after hitting six cities to celebrate and amplify the many ways New Zealanders use creativity to enrich their lives. But the kōrero continues! Catch up on inspiring talks from artists, leaders, and creative champions on our All in for Arts podcast, explore insights from our 2024 report, get creative with Squiggla, and dive into why the arts matter with our explainer video.

Be part of the conversation

The 2002 Laureates: Shona McCullagh MNZM, Helen Medlyn MNZM, Don McGlashan, Warwick Freeman, and Jacob Rajan MNZM

Our Artists

Since 2000, The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi have been unapologetically backing New Zealand’s most outstanding artists – with financial gifts, mentorship and epic recognition. We do this by awarding them New Zealand’s most prestigious arts awards: Icon Whakamana Hiranga, Laureate and Springboard – ultimately growing a remarkable alumni of artists from across disciplines and generations.

Meet our artists

Givers Bentley de Beyer, Dean Sharpe, and AFTTT Lead Jo Blair at Kotahi drinks Queenstown 2024.

Our Giving Collective

The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi is New Zealand’s only national arts organisation that is 100% powered by people. We are a generous and diverse community of givers from across the country who want to contribute to a more creative Aotearoa. We’re growing a movement of arts backers (crushing all stereotypes of what philanthropy looks like) for the betterment of all New Zealanders (and we have a lot of fun while we’re at it…).

How to power the arts

2020 Icon Sir Sam Neill KNZM, previous Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Chair Garth Gallaway, and 2012 Laureate Rachel House ONZM

Come With Us

Are you into music, books, theatre, film, visual arts, photography and more? Do you like refreshing conversations, learning new things, and delving into the big issues facing Aotearoa through the eyes of our creatives? Are you into connection, getting out of your comfort zone and being part of something genuinely transformative? Go on then.

Join the movement

The Impact
We Have

The arts are essential to New Zealand. Our funding and recognition for artists give them time and freedom - helping us see ourselves. We know the arts fuel our economy (the arts and creativity generate 4.3% of our national GDP), support our rangatahi/youth (80% of young people feel better when they do creative things), and improve our society (60% of New Zealanders agree)!

Hear About the Impact We Have From Our Artists

2006 Laureate Oscar Kightley MNZM speaking at the 2023 Laureate Awards.

Our Awards

Lady Susan Satyanand, 2011 Icon Whakamana Hiranga Sir Peter Jackson ONZ KNZM, and his excellency the Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand Governor General of New Zealand at the 2011 Icon Awards

2020 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Springboard Award Recipient Arjuna Oakes

2010 Harriet Friedlander Resident Seung Yul Oh

1995 Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellow Fiona Farrell ONZM left on her fellowship to Menton visiting New Zealand writer Michelanne Forster right — 1995 Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellow Fiona Farrell ONZM (left) on her fellowship to Menton visiting New Zealand writer Michelanne Forster (right)

2021 A Moment in Time recipient Nigel Borell

Ann Mallinson and 2023 Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award Recipient Giselle Clarkson

Across the country, our artists shape and enrich our national identity. And in these times of uncertainty and competitive Government funding, they need our collective support! Find out how our community backs New Zealand’s most outstanding artists through our Awards.

View All Awards

The first ever Laureates in 2000 with AF Trustees and Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Since 1998

The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi has awarded over $13 million to New Zealand artists and organisations with awards steeped in mana, mauri and honour.

About Us

Boosted

New Zealands Art Crowdfunding Platform

Powered by the Parkin Gift

Boosted is all-or-nothing crowdfunding, so these creatives need to reach their target to get their mahi off the ground. Check out the projects closing soon, and give what you can to help make great things happen.

2101

Successful Projects
94

Success Rate (2024)
14871007

Total Raised
130028

Donations

See All Projects Crowdfund Your Own Project

All In
For Arts

A free breakfast series in towns and cities across Aotearoa, celebrating creativity in New Zealander's lives. Each featuring five speakers offering diverse perspectives, in five short rounds - all over coffee and kai. In partnership with Creative New Zealand, supported by Chartwell Trust and The Lion Foundation, and powered by our media partner, Stuff.

Missed the 2025 tour?

2022 Laureate Hone Kouka MNZM speaking at All In For Arts Kirikiriroa Hamilton, 2023

There's something about art that brings me closer to my sense of identity and belonging.”

Dinnie Moehau, New Plymouth District Councillor and speaker at All In For Arts New Plymouth 2022.

Explore Boosted Projects

See All Projects

The Impact of The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi

Events Happening Now

We come to you. See what we are up to around the country - and come along for the ride! Everyone is welcome: wether you're an arts lover, arts curious or never set foot in a gallery before.

View All Upcoming Events