Key Dates
Entries Open: 1 July 2025
Early Bird Entry Closes: 1 August 2025
Final Entry Deadline: 15 August 2025
Final Artwork Drop-off: 3 September 2025 (by 5pm)
Opening Night & Prize-Giving: 17 September 2025
Ruapehu Art Awards
Twin Rivers Art Gallery, Taumarunui | 01 Jun - 17 Sep 25The Ruapehu Art Awards return for 2025, offering artists from across the region and beyond the chance to showcase their work in a unique and high-visibility location along State Highway 4, just minutes from Mt Ruapehu.
This annual event celebrates creativity in all its forms — from photography, sculpture and carving to fibre art and Māori art — and invites participation from professionals, hobbyists, and student artists alike.
Timed to align with the spring school holidays, the exhibition attracts visitors travelling through the region, giving artists a prime opportunity to share their work with a wide and varied audience.
Why enter?
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Be part of a growing, inclusive event that champions the arts in Ruapehu
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Share your work with locals and visitors during a high-traffic holiday season
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Support the creative economy and regional storytelling
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Win epic prizes across multiple award categories
Categories include:
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2D Wall-Hung Art (any media)
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Ruapehu-Themed Artworks
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3D Sculpture, Ceramics, Carving
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Māori Art (2D or 3D)
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Photography
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Fibre Art
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Youth Awards (Years 9–13)
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Junior Awards (Year 8 and under)
Whether you're an emerging voice or an experienced artist, the Ruapehu Art Awards offer a platform to share your perspective, celebrate creativity, and contribute to the cultural life of the region.
