Commissioner

Profile

A facilitator of private philanthropy, the Arts Foundation supports artistic excellence through its permanent Endowment Fund. Legacies and donations help grow the Fund, with income generated enabling the Foundation to support the Arts. The Foundation produces Award programmes that provide recognition and support to artists working at the highest levels in all art forms. By the end of 2008, the Foundation will have honoured 95 artists and distributed $2.35 million to the arts.

New Zealand’s most senior artists are honoured at the Icon Awards. These Awards recognise a lifetime of achievements and are considered the Foundation’s highest honour. Artists whose careers are in full flight, receive $50,000 each in recognition of achievements to date and as an investment in their future at the Laureate Awards. Artists who are in the early stages of their careere receive $25,000 each the New Generation Awards. In partnership, the Foundation produces the Marti Friedlander Photographic Award and the Harriet Friedlander Residency. They also offer awards for support of the arts including the Governors’ Award and the Award for Patronage.

Established by patrons to invest in talented artists, the Foundation has become a leader in its field, with a reputation based on the integrity of its processes and the inspiration behind its programmes. The Foundation welcomes those who wish to join its community as donors at any level. It also welcomes enquires from donors wishing to establish new programmes that support the arts in partnership.