SunLive – Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award opens

The 2025 round of the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award is now open for entries from artists of all visual art forms.

“We are pleased to offer an early bird entry fee of $40 per entry until October 13,” says award coordinator Lynette Fisher.

After October 13, the entry fee increases to $50 per entry, with entries closing at 5pm, on Sunday, October 27.

Lynette says the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award is the longest running art award in New Zealand and “with that, our long-held tradition of supporting emerging and established artists”.  

The MMCA not only offers substantial prize money, with the major award being $10,000, but selected finalist’s work will be exhibited in Te Kõputu a te Whanga a Toi, Whakatāne Museum and Gallery and viewed by art enthusiasts from around the country.

Guest judge for 2024 is Tauranga Art Gallery Toi Tauranga director Sonya Korohina.

All submissions for the annual non-acquisitive award go through a pre-selection process from the digital images supplied by the artist and are judged on merit by the three independent pre-selection judges. Artist’s names are not visible to the judges.

The pre-selection judges are Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery curator James Gatt, visual artist and researcher Dr Elliot Collins who was the 2024 winner, and Auckland University Fine Art Head of School Fiona Jack. They are tasked with choosing the 50-60 works that form the finalist’s exhibition for MMAC 2025.

Following the pre-selection phase, results are collated by a rigorous points system and the selected works are called in and delivered to the venue for final judging by guest judge Sonya Korohina.

“We can’t wait to see the incredible exhibition that will emerge from the 2025 round of the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award,” says Lynette.

Runner Up will receive the Akel Award of $4000, named for Auckland based barrister William Akel who has strong ties to Whakatāne and its arts.

The Molly Morpeth Canaday Award Exhibition will be on display at Te kōputu a te whanga a Toi Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre, with the awards presented at the opening event.

‘Did you get the watercress I left you?’ –Acrylic and wood in shopping trolley, by Elliott Collins, winner of 2024 Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award. Photo: Supplied.

Past winners include Emily Hartley-Skudder in 2023 with ‘Dishpan Hands’, Melissa McMahon in 2022 with ‘Pink Bats’, and Hannah Ireland in 2021 with ‘They laughed, I cried’.

Last year’s winner from Tarankai, Dr Elliot Collins, won with ‘Did you get the watercress I left you?’, an intriguing work made from acrylic and wood in a shopping trolley, measuring 400mm x 860mm x 350mm.

“Painting, sculpting, ceramics, moving image and mixed media – we invite you to submit your work for consideration.”

She says her team is available to answer any questions and provide further assistance throughout the submission process.

To find more information about the MMCA 2025 submission guidelines, FAQ and to enter, visit www.mmcaward.co.nz