Entries for annual ILT Murihiku Art Awards now open

Entries for a competition that celebrates the innovation and imagination of visual artists throughout the country are now open.

The ILT Murihiku Art Awards – a collaboration between the Invercargill Public Art Gallery and the Southland Art Society – were held to celebrate outstanding contemporary visual art, across a range of mediums.

He Waka Tuia manager Sarah Brown said the awards – now in their third year – gave visual artists from across New Zealand the opportunity to showcase their creativity, and be celebrated for their vision.

“The ILT Murihiku Art Awards are an opportunity for contemporary artists working throughout the motu to connect with and be inspired by their peers. Art comes in so many forms. The awards are open to all visual artists, no matter what medium their artistic expression takes – whether that is in printmaking, digital or video-based, jewellery design, sculpture, or more,” she said.

“Artists dedicate so much of their time, energy, and themselves into their work. We are incredibly grateful for the meaningful generosity of our sponsors, the ILT and Beattie McDowell Architects, which means these awards can support the winning artists with a significant prize pool. This helps to ensure those working within the sector can continue to inspire our community, and add to the cultural vibrancy of New Zealand.”

The ILT Murihiku Art Awards had a total prize pool of $20,000, with the Supreme Award winner set to receive $8000. Other categories included a Rangatahi Award for a young artist, the People’s Choice Award, and the Beattie McDowell Southland Award for a local artist.

Artists could submit up to two original visual artworks for selection. All entries must be one-off original artworks, completed within the last 12 months, and not previously exhibited within Murihiku, Brown said.

Artists had until 5pm on 21 August to enter their work in the awards. Winners would be selected by independent guest judges, and announced at an event at He Waka Tuia on October 2.

An exhibition celebrating their works would run at the Invercargill arts facility from 3 October 3 until 15 November, Brown said.

Last year, the awards attracted 155 entries, with the judges selecting 67 works – across seven categories – as finalists. Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū Director Toni Mackinnon and Dunedin Public Art Gallery Curator and art historian Lauren Gutsell judged the awards in 2025, with this year’s panel yet to be announced.