Adam Portraiture Award Launches with New Rules and Increased Prize

Entries have officially opened for the 2026 Adam Portraiture Award, New Zealand’s longest-running prize dedicated to painted portraiture. The award features an enhanced top prize of $30,000 and introduces new rules emphasizing the importance of live sittings. This biennial 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 that reflect the lives of living New Zealanders.

A significant change for this year’s competition is the requirement that all entries must be based on at least one live sitting or study from life. This rule aims to foster a deeper connection between the artist and the subject, encouraging a more intimate artistic process. Brian Wood, director of the New Zealand Portrait Gallery, expressed pride in supporting the award. “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.

Judging by a Renowned Artist

In a notable shift for 2026, the award will be judged exclusively by Jude Rae, an internationally acclaimed painter whose works are featured in prominent institutions across Australia and New Zealand. Rae, a recipient of the 2025 Wynne Prize and a three-time finalist for the Archibald Prize, will bring a cohesive curatorial perspective to the judging process.

“Aotearoa New Zealand has been very kind to me over the years, and I consider it to be my second home,” Rae said. She added, “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.”

Entries for the award will close on 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 interested in participating can find full details on the New Zealand Portrait Gallery’s website at nzportraitgallery.org.nz/adam-portraiture-award.

This year’s changes to the Adam Portraiture Award not only elevate its prestige but also aim to enhance the artistic dialogue between creators and their subjects, ensuring that each portrait tells a compelling story within the rich tapestry of New Zealand’s contemporary art scene.