New Zealand’s Adam Portraiture Award Introduces Changes and Bigger Prize

Entries are now open for the 2026 Adam Portraiture Award, New Zealand’s premier accolade for painted portraiture. This year, the award has significantly increased its top prize to $30,000 and introduced new rules emphasizing the importance of live sittings.

The award, presented by the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata and supported by The Adam Foundation, invites artists from across Aotearoa to submit painted portraits of living New Zealanders. Each entry must include at least one live sitting or study from life, fostering a deeper connection between the artist and their subject.

Focus on Artistic Engagement

Brian Wood, director of the New Zealand Portrait Gallery, expressed pride in the award’s role as a platform for artists. “We’re proud to support the Adam Portraiture Award as a platform for artists to engage deeply with their subjects and share powerful painted stories of New Zealanders,” he stated.

A notable change for the 2026 edition is that the judging panel will consist solely of internationally acclaimed painter Jude Rae. Rae’s works are featured in major institutions throughout Australia and New Zealand. Having won the 2025 Wynne Prize and being a three-time finalist in the Archibald Prize, she brings a distinct curatorial perspective to the selection process.

“Aotearoa New Zealand has been very kind to me over the years, and I consider it to be my second home,” Rae commented. “Ideally a portrait is a close encounter that reveals something essential about both the subject and the artist. This is a great honour for me and I am looking forward to encountering the variety, integrity, and imagination that New Zealand artists bring to the ancient and complex genre of painting.”

Important Dates and Exhibition Details

The deadline for submissions is March 18, 2026. Finalists will be announced in April, with the winner revealed during the exhibition opening at Shed 11 in Wellington in May. Artists are encouraged to prepare their entries thoughtfully, as the emphasis on live sittings aims to elevate the quality and authenticity of the portraits submitted.

For more details, interested participants can visit the official page at nzportraitgallery.org.nz/adam-portraiture-award.