ART CALENDARS
Get your artwork published in a New Zealand art calendar.
We believe every New Zealand artist in our community is deserving of the spotlight. Submissions open Monday 9 November 2026 and close Sunday 6 December 2026, 11:55 PM.
In partnership with BrownTrout Publishers Australia, we produce New Zealand art calendars each year, connecting local artists with a nationwide audience. Our art calendars showcase exceptional talent, bringing artwork into homes and workplaces across Aotearoa. We're super proud of this journey – and so grateful to the artists who make it possible.
Get noticed
Your work will be on the shelves of stationery stores around New Zealand (and online!), and will be seen by thousands of eyes for an entire month.
Extra income
All successful artists get paid to appear in the calendars, either via the money or calendars option – perfect if you want to sell them to your network.
Feel good
We’re not going to lie – getting your work published in one of our art calendars gives you a dopamine hit all year long.
Get ready to submit your work
General FAQs
What kind of art is accepted?
- Open to all New Zealand visual artists, emerging and established.
- Accepted: paintings and illustrations (non-digital).
- Not accepted: digital art, sculpture, ceramics, textile/fibre art, or photography.
- New or older work is welcome, including pieces that have already sold or that you’re keeping – just ensure you hold the rights to license an image of the artwork.
Is there a theme?
The theme is the same every year: New Zealand.
We welcome work that reflects Aotearoa in any way, including landscapes and seascapes, flora and fauna, cityscapes and architecture, people and portraits, and kiwiana or cultural icons. Abstracts are also welcome if the New Zealand connection is clear.
Payment FAQs
Do artists get paid?
Absolutely! All successful artists are paid, with the final amount dependent on whether their artwork is selected for the cover (this scores an extra NZ$120).
Payment options include:
- Receive NZ$120 per image, or
- Receive x30 calendars (RRP NZ$25.99).
Regardless of which payment option is selected, all successful artists also receive a couple of samples of the printed calendar.
Is there a cost to apply?
There is no cost to you – it's free to submit work, the publisher manages the printing and distribution costs and each stockist manage any marketing of the calendar to their customers.
File set up FAQs
Why don't you accept smartphone images?
It really comes down the quality – DSLR camera's are the champion of detail, clarity, and overall image quality. With its larger sensor, fancy lenses, and manual settings galore, it can pick up the tiniest brushstroke, the subtlest colour gradient, and the finest texture of your artwork.
Yes, smartphones have come a long way over the years – they're super convenient, and they capture some pretty epic photos! But when it comes to preserving and showcasing the intricate details, textures, and colours of your artwork, a DSLR camera gives your artwork the VIP treatment it deserves.
Can I use a AI to upscale my image?
We don’t recommend it. AI can’t recreate real detail – it guesses missing information and often introduces halos, smoothing, repeating patterns, or colour shifts. This can misrepresent your artwork.
There are also ethical and licensing concerns with some AI tools, which may be trained on copyrighted or unconsented images.
Submission Form FAQs
Is there a max file size for image uploads?
Yes. The Submission Form accepts files up to 50 MB per image, and you can upload multiple images. If your files are larger, use the Dropbox link provided at the end of the form – there’s effectively no size limit there.
Can I upload a image at 72 DPI?
No. Each artist must supply high‑resolution files of their artwork.
- Resolution: 300 DPI
- Minimum size: at least 3600 px on the shortest edge
What format is the calendar?
The calendar is a square wall calendar with full‑bleed images (edge‑to‑edge; no white border). You can supply a square crop, or we can crop to fit the square format. If you’re cropping yourself, keep key details away from the edges to allow for bleed and trim.
Timeline FAQs
What year is the calendar for?
We work a full year in advance. We send the calendar to print in March, allowing ample time for printing off-shore. Once printed, calendars are shipped back to New Zealand, delivered to the Publisher's warehouse (in Auckland), and distributed to stockists nationwide.
This carefully planned timeline ensures the calendars reach stores well in advance, ready for the Christmas shopping.
When do you announce selections?
Our typical process is to shortlist and then make the initial selections. Once we’ve received the Publishers approval we can move onto the production phase (popping each selected piece into the calendar and sending successful artists their proofs to check).
Unfortunately we can’t make any announcements regarding the selections, in-case we need to make any last minute swaps (with the shortlisted artists) – or the calendar title is completely pulled from production (this is super rare, but happened during the pandemic).
Once the calendar has been sent to print, we will share the final calendar and artist selections to the masses via our artist call out email and social media.
- Artist Call Out open: November
- Shortlisting and selections: January
- Production: February
- Sent to print: March
- Distributed and available in-store: September onwards
Publishing FAQs
If selected, what is included in the calendar?
Each successful artists name, artwork title and website (or social media) link is printed inside each calendar, plus each artists name is also printed on the back cover.
Do I keep the copyright of my artwork?
Yes. You retain full copyright and ownership of your artwork. When you submit artwork, you’ll review and accept the licensing terms in the Submission Form.
In short, you grant Elastic Design and BrownTrout Publishers permission to reproduce your work in the calendar for the relevant year and to use it to promote that calendar. No transfer of ownership is involved.
Where are the calendars sold?
Calendars are sold online and throughout New Zealand at the usual stationery outlets (Whitcoulls, Paper Plus, etc). They’re also available in Australia via the Publishers website and some online retailers (Booktopia, Calendar Club, Amazon etc).
File set up guide
All images must be high resolution
- 300 DPI or higher
- RGB
- JPG, TIFF files accepted
- at least 3600 px (shortest edge)
Square format
Calendars are a square format and will be printed with full bleed (no white borders).
You’re welcome to supply rectangle images – we'll crop the artwork to the best fit.
Before sending the calendar to print, we also send each successful artist a PDF proof to double check everything.
File names
Please name your files with your full name and artwork title, for example: FirstnameSurname_ArtworkTitle.jpg
This helps us to know which file belongs to which artist when we create the shortlist and selections.
No phone images
We suggest using a DSLR camera which will give you more creative control when it comes to exposure, white balance and resolution. If you're not super confident about taking your own photos – we have a Art Photography Checklist available for purchase too.
Licensing terms
To be included in the submission process, all artists need to fill out the Submission Form, as this includes information regarding our Licensing Terms (you keep ownership and simply allow the publisher to use your artwork for the calendar year).
Multiple images
You’re welcome to attach more than one image into the form. We also provide a Dropbox link at the end of the Submission Form to upload more (or larger) images. Please don’t fill out the form multiple times.
Capture your artwork for commercial print without the glare, colour shift, or technical guesswork.
Photographing artwork for print has specific technical rules. A slight reflection or incorrect white balance can mean a brilliant piece is passed over simply because the file cannot reproduce cleanly at calendar scale.
The Art Photography Checklist shows you exactly how to light, shoot, and export publication ready photos of your original pieces, whether you are using a DSLR camera.
Covering simple indoor lighting setups, texture management, and resolution checks, this practical guide gives you everything needed to submit with complete confidence.
Previous artists and calendars
Need some inspiration for your submission? See how previous artists have explored the New Zealand theme across our past calendar editions.
Contemporary New Zealand Art 2027
Featuring Bonnie Fraser, Graham Taylor, Isabelle Wannenburg, Iwen Yong, Jacqui Hart, Joanna Meek, Rachel Huston (cover artist), Raymond Jennings, Robert Mitchener, Rosanne Croucher, Sarah Freiburger and Sue Lockett.
Contemporary New Zealand Art 2026
Featuring Mandy Preston, Lindsey Baker, Erika Pearce, Sarah Pou, Tania Akehurst, Joanna Meek, Paul Herbert, Timon Maxey (cover artist), Iwen Yong, Irina Velman, Katy Yang and Amber Miller.
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Contemporary New Zealand Art 2025
Featuring Timo Rannali, Sue Lockett, Mauricio Benega, Kat Stefanova, Iwen Yong, Rosslyn Johnson, Lara Mumby-Croft, Paul Herbert (cover artist), Kelly Rowe and Shanna Olivier.
Artists’ Impressions of New Zealand 2025
Featuring Sarah Pou, Sarah Garland, Bonnie Fraser, Kat Stefanova, Graham Taylor, Maryann Morgan McKee, Paul Herbert, Veronika Lambert, Jo Gallagher, Vicki Fraser and Timo Rannali (cover artist).
Contemporary New Zealand Art 2024
Featuring Livia Dias, Ira Mitchell, Sarah Pou (cover artist), Kirsten McIntosh, Marcia Soanes, Mark Tyrrell, Timon Maxey, Rosslyn Johnson, Lori Davis, Joanne Bowe, Bonnie Fraser and Shirley Cresswell.
Artists’ Impressions of
New Zealand 2024
Featuring Amber Adams, Shirley Cresswell, Sarah Pou, Bonnie Fraser, Lindsey Baker, Irina Velman, Charlotte Hird, Rosanne Croucher, Libby McColl, Nicola Welten (cover artist), Laura Smith and Bernice Radcliffe.
Contemporary New Zealand Art 2023
Featuring Rosanne Croucher, Bob Mitchener, Lindsey Baker, Sarah Garland, David Corballis, Charlotte Hird, Arna Marshall, Miranda J. Caird, Tatyana Kulida, Paula Brill, Heimler & Proc and Irina Velman (cover artist).
Artists’ Impressions of New Zealand 2023
Featuring Libby McColl, Kerri-Lee Gunter, Irina Velman (cover artist), Ira Mitchell, Rosanne Croucher, Renee Walden, Jacquie Ellis, Carl Cockill and Livia Dias.
Contemporary New Zealand Art 2022
Featuring Ira Mitchell, Terry Bennett, Timon Maxey, Mauricio Benega, Caroline della Porta, Tim Spindler, Verena Tagmann, Julie Greig, Lindsey Baker, Jacquie Ellis, Marc McKinlay (cover artist) and Richard Robinson.
Artists’ Impressions of New Zealand 2022
Featuring Heimler & Proc, Lindsey Baker, Haihui Wang, Timon Maxey, Richard Robinson (cover artist), Jo Gallagher, Fiona Goulding, Libby McColl, Livia Dias, Marilyn Andrews and Rosslyn Johnson.
New Zealand in Watercolour 2022
Featuring Jodi Ferris, Charlotte Hird, Desmond Bovey (cover artist), Smita Upadhye, David Corballis, Alan Collins, Alfred Memelink and Annette Straugheir.
Contemporary New Zealand Art 2021
Featuring Wayne Vickers, Mauricio Benega, Livia Dias, Libby McColl, Kylie Wardlaw, Timon Maxey, Carina Orvan, Sue Currie (cover artist), Pauline Gough and Richard Robinson.
Artists’ Impressions of New Zealand 2021
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).
Māori Art of Aotearoa 2021
Featuring Michelle Estall, Lewis Gardiner, Te Maari Gardiner, Michael
Matchitt, Kura Te Waru-Rewiri, Lily Kaukau, Aaron Manuel, Whare Bidois
and Tane Te Manu McRoberts (cover artist).
New Zealand in Watercolour 2021
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.
Contemporary New Zealand Art 2020
Featuring Mauricio Benega, Donna Massey, Heimler & Proc, Matt Guild, Julie Greig, Irina Velman (cover artist), Ira Mitchell, Libby McColl and Jo Gallagher.
Artists’ Impressions of New Zealand 2020
Featuring Matt Guild (cover artist), Ira Mitchell, Alfred Memelink, Fiona Goulding, Sandra Whyte, Donna Massey, Stephanie Crisp, Jacquie Ellis, Julie Greig and Irina Velman.
New Zealand in Watercolour 2020
Featuring Sue Wild, Andy Hamilton, Prior Hoadley, Jacky Pearson, Robin Kay, Alfred Memelink (cover artist), Svetlana Orinko, Alan Collins and James Neumann.
Māori Art of Aotearoa 2020
Featuring Todd Couper (cover artist), Madia Purvis, Vendelas Illustrations, Arohanoa Mathews, Dan Irvine, Saber Stainton, Janie Tuapawa-Hitaua, Ani Huia Ligaliga, Sam Mangakāhia and Tania Lewis-Rickard.
Contemporary New Zealand Art 2019
Featuring Alfred Memelink, Mauricio Benega, Lindsey Baker, James Neumann, Jo Gallagher, Donna Massey (cover artist), Fiona Goulding, Reina Cottier, Monique Endt and Raymond Jennings.
Māori Art of Aotearoa 2019
Featuring Madia Purvis, Lewis Gardiner, Todd Couper (cover artist), Cori Marsters, Adrienne Spratt, Shano Hoani Hawea, Tawhai Rickard, Whare Bidois, Regan Balzer and Arohanoa Mathews.
Artists' Impressions of New Zealand 2019
Featuring Reina Cottier, Lindsey Baker (cover artist), Fiona Goulding, Alfred Memelink, Jo Gallagher, Sally-Ann Davies, Alan Collins, Jennifer Cook-Battersby and Raymond Jennings.
New Zealand in Watercolour 2019
Featuring Sue Currie (cover artist), Varun Gupta, Claudia Slaney, Alfred Memelink, David Corballis, Amanda Brett, Dianne Taylor and Elise De Silva.
… there’s a bunch of others too, but we hope you get the idea.
We've been working in the calendar space for a looong time, creating calendars for global brands (think Bluey, Doctor Who, Hallmark, etc).
We also produce custom calendars for artists (and small businesses). So it's fair to say calendars are our jam. Let's chat if you keen to get your own calendar created.
