For the last eight years, I have had the privilege of curating and producing the New Zealand art calendars in partnership with BrownTrout Publishers Australia. To me, this is far more than a calendar – it is a passion project rooted in a deep commitment to ethical creative practices.

But to be completely honest, it didn’t start out that way.

The turning point

When I first took over, the project was in a bit of a state. There were significant issues that threatened its future and, more importantly, undermined the trust of our local artist community.

The two biggest hurdles were:

• Unpaid contributions: Artists were not being compensated for their work.
• Missing consent: Proper permission for artwork reproduction was not being obtained.

These weren’t just legal oversights; they were breaches of fairness. I knew that to move forward, we had to rebuild the foundation from scratch to ensure every artist felt respected and valued.

Rebuilding from the ground up

My priority was to create a system where design and art work together fairly. I started by building a reliable database which now features over 600 talented New Zealand artists.

I also established a transparent consent process and ensured every featured artist is compensated, with extra payments for cover art. One of the most rewarding parts has been the behind-the-scenes collaboration—helping artists with the technical side of photographing their work so it looks its absolute best in print.

Creative empowerment: More than just a fee

While direct payment is the baseline for ethical work, I wanted to go further. In partnership with the publisher, I introduced a flexible payment model. Artists can choose to receive their commission in cash, or they can opt to receive their payment in physical calendars.

By choosing the calendar option, artists can sell them directly to their own networks. This often allows them to significantly increase their total earnings from the project, turning a standard commission into a retail opportunity. It’s about giving creators the tools to maximise their own success.

An evolving, transparent process

Transparency is at the heart of the shared journey I aim for. I make sure every artist knows exactly what to expect from submission to the final print. I am constantly seeking feedback to refine the website and the process, making it as easy as possible for our creative community to get involved.

The growth (by the numbers)

It is incredible to see the momentum we have gained. Looking at the growth from 2018 through to the 2027 calendar, the trajectory is clear – more artists are trusting this process every year.

Recent Growth Highlights

• 2026 Season: Artists submitted 397 images, resulting in a curated selection of 12 standout pieces.
• 2027 Season: We have seen a massive surge in engagement, with 483 image submissions.
• The Big Picture: Since 2018, we have produced 24 published calendars, featuring hundreds of unique artists from across Aotearoa.

Impact Milestones

• 145+ Artists Featured: Since 2018, we have provided a national platform for over 145 established and emerging New Zealand creatives.
• $17,400+ Paid Directly to Artists: We believe in clean creative ethics. Every cent of this has gone straight into the pockets of the artists who make this project possible.

More than just a product

These calendars are a platform. They give both established and emerging artists a chance to get their work into homes and offices across the country. By sticking to ethical practices, we have created something the artist community can be proud of.

The stunning artwork featured each year is a testament to what we can achieve when we build on a foundation of honesty and respect.

Note: If you’re an artist looking wanting to submit to our next open Artist Call Out (or to get some NZ calendar ideas), visit our New Zealand Art Calendar page.