+ New Zealand in Watercolour
+ Artists’ Impressions of New Zealand
+ Contemporary New Zealand Art
+ Māori Art of Aoteaora
Open to all New Zealand visual artists – both established and emerging.
+ New Zealand in Watercolour: Watercolour paintings are accepted.
+ Contemporary Art and Artists’ Impressions: Paintings and illustration are accepted.
+ Māori Art of Aotearoa: Paintings, illustrations, carvings and weaving is accepted. Priority is given to Māori artists.
We don’t accept: digital art, sculpture, ceramics, textile art and photography.
The theme is the same every year: New Zealand – this can include landscapes, portraits, cityscapes, kiwiana, etc.
All successful artists are paid, with the final amount dependant on the format of the calendar.
Artists are supplied a couple of samples of the printed calendar, and have access to the publishers wholesale prices to buy bulk (to sell/gift to family and friends).
Successful artists name, artwork title and website are printed inside each calendar.
Calendars are sold online and throughout New Zealand at the usual stationery outlets (Whitcoulls, Warehouse Stationery and Paper Plus, etc). Click here for a full list of New Zealand stockists.
Before you hit up the stores, we also suggest reaching out to your favourite artist for a calendar they’re featured in. They might have a few calendars to sell to the public – and you’ll be able help support them directly.
Images must be high resolution:
+ 300 ppi or higher
+ RGB
+ JPG
+ at least 3600 px width
Please name your files with your name and artwork title e.g. FirstnameSurname_ArtworkTitle.jpg.
We suggest using a DSLR camera – this will give you more creative control when it comes to the resolution, the exposure, shutter speed, aperture and the ISO settings. Smartphone images are not accepted.
All calendars are a square format and will be printed with full bleed (so no white borders). Artists are welcome to supply rectangle images, we will crop artwork to the best fit. Before sending the calendars to print we also send proofs to each artist – to check details and make sure the cropping is suitable.
Artists are welcome to submit more than one image. We provide a Dropbox link at the end of the Application Form to pop extra images in.
We think the best approach is simply to hire a professional photographer. Obviously, not everyone has the budget or resources to hire a pro, so if you plan to take the photos yourself, be sure to review the following tips.
Featuring Michelle Estall, Lewis Gardiner, Te Maari Gardiner, Michael Matchitt, Kura Te Waru-Rewiri, Lily Kaukau, Aaron Manuel, Erika Pearce, Whare Bidois and Tane Te Manu McRoberts (cover artist).
Featuring Bryce Brown, Fiona Goulding, Jacquie Ellis, Steve Bellamy, Ian Scott, Sandra Whyte, Libby McColl, Livia Dias, Emmaline Bailey, Richard Robinson and Irina Velman (cover artist).
Featuring Wayne Vickers, Mauricio Benega, Livia Dias, Libby McColl, Kylie Wardlaw, Timon Maxey, Carina Orvan, Sue Currie (cover artist), Pauline Gough and Richard Robinson.
Featuring Darina Denali, Dennis Greenwood, Charlotte Hird, Joy de Geus (cover artist), David Corballis, Stewart McLennan, Ginette Wang, Dianne Taylor, Alfred Memelink, Sue Currie, Jodi Ferris and Emily Moffitt.