Generosity alert: two new backers for two new Laureate Awards

Our heartfelt thanks go out to My Art and Sir Roger Hall for giving to enable the creation of two $25,000 specific Laureate awards – the My Art Visual Arts Award, and the Sir Roger Hall Theatre Award.

They will join Marti and Gerrad Friedlander, Ann Mallison, Theresa Gattung, Arian Burr and the late Peter Tatham who have dedicated funds to back ongoing Laureates.

A word from Sonja and Glenn Hawkins from My Art:

"It is our hope that the future will see the continued flourishing of the arts in New Zealand, and that we will all find new ways to engage with art and to celebrate the richness of our cultural landscape. This of course means we will also have to all find new ways to support artists.

My Art is excited to be working closely with the Arts Foundation to develop a new award for the visual arts, and in doing so, we might impact an artist’s life and even their community in some small way."

– Sonja and Glenn Hawkins, My Art

A word from Sir Roger Hall:

“I’m delighted that the Arts Foundation is setting up a Laureates award for theatre this year in my name so that at least one person will benefit from both the recognition and the money during these particularly difficult times.

It was at my request that a Laureates award will alternate each year with a number of smaller awards (probably of $5000 each) to individuals or institutions so that the benefit of my Trust will be spread widely.”

– Sir Roger Hall

This year, we aim to award at least five Laureates (and more if we can!). These artists will be announced in September, following a rigorous selection process by an independent panel in July.