국립현대미술 어워드 National Contemporary Art Award

The National Contemporary Art Award can be described as brave, colourful and never shy, an award which takes on an exciting genre – contemporary art. Contemporary art is simply described as art that has been and continues to be created during our lifetimes. In other words, contemporary to us. Or more simply, the art of now. We are very privileged to host this well-known art award.

Key members of the Waikato Society of Arts initiated and launched what we now know as the National Contemporary Art Award in 2000. Gavin Hipkins won the inaugural Trust Waikato National Contemporary Art Award and received $10,000 for his photo of a soap dish.

Every year a new judge is chosen with the credibility to choose the finalists and the ultimate winner. Through elimination, it is the judge who curates the award, shaping the final exhibition as well as choosing a winner and merit award winners.

The National Contemporary Art Award was initiated and administered by the Waikato Society of Arts (WSA). The exhibition has always been held at Waikato Museum, but it wasn't until 2006 that the administration of the award was handed over to Waikato Museum.

Formerly known as the Trust Waikato National Contemporary Art Award and The Bold Horizon National Contemporary Art Award, the award is now known as the National Contemporary Art Award. Trust Waikato were very generous sponsors until 2009. The Trust Waikato Collection boasts many winners' and finalists' works.

udges are met with the intrepid task of viewing countless videos, photographs, reading artist's statements, and researching the practice of each, yet despite this same criteria, each judge selects their own art award finalist exhibition and winner with vastly differing rationales for their choices.

The above content has been excerpted from https://waikatomuseum.co.nz/exhibitions-and-events/art-awards/