Presented by Arts Whakatāne in association with Whakatāne Museum and Arts, this nationally-recognised art award will recognise nine category-winners, plus the runner-up and supreme winner of the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award.  The 2016 judge, Richard Fahey, will announce the winners, including the artists to receive the Craigs Investment Partners $2,500 prize and the $10,000 award provided by the Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust.

The Art Award, exhibited across all three temporary galleries at Te koputu a te whanga a Toi – the Whakatane Library and Exhibition Centre – is a major component of the Whakatane Summer Arts Festival.

The vision of the awards is to encourage the development of painting and drawing on a national level and reward artists who create outstanding works; securing it as one of New Zealand’s most sought-after and notable art prizes.

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We would also like to acknowledge the other event sponsors, who have kindly donated eight $500 Merit Awards, including:

• Pullar Family Trust
• 4 Arts Sake Gallery
• Browne School of Art
• Scott Jarrett & Professionals
• Ross and Kay Boreham & Accounting Biz Limited
• Hon. Anne Tolley MP & Whakatane Society of Arts and Crafts 
• Akel Family
• Frames by Daniel (product value)

The Popular Choice Award of $500 has been jointly donated by Radio 1XX and Law Creative Group.