Eligibility & Rules
Introduction
Thank you for your interest in New Tides.
Before entering, please take a few minutes to read the information below. These guidelines explain who may enter, the types of artwork that are eligible, how the selection process works and what happens if your work is selected for exhibition.
New Tides welcomes artists at every stage of their careers. While the competition has a particular focus on discovering and supporting emerging, early-career and transitioning artists, established artists are also encouraged to enter.
If you would like to download a PDF copy of these guidelines, they are available here.
If you have any questions after reading these guidelines, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're always happy to help.
In Summary
- Open to artists at every stage of their careers.
- Particular focus on discovering and supporting emerging, early-career and transitioning artists.
- Selected finalists will exhibit their work at Art by the River in Whanganui.
- Every selected finalist is eligible for the Audience Award.
- Emerging, early-career and transitioning finalists are also eligible for the Art by the River Award.
1. Eligibility
1.1 Who May Enter
New Tides is open to artists at every stage of their careers, from emerging practitioners to established professionals.
To be eligible, entrants must:
- be at least 18 years of age at the closing date for entries;
- be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or be ordinarily resident in New Zealand;
- submit artwork that complies with these Eligibility & Rules.
Previous entrants are welcome to enter future New Tides competitions unless otherwise advised.
1.2 Emerging, Early-Career and Transitioning Artists
New Tides welcomes artists at every stage of their careers.
The Art by the River Award is reserved for emerging, early-career and transitioning artists, reflecting the competition's purpose of discovering and supporting the next generation of contemporary New Zealand artists.
New Tides recognises that every artist's artistic journey develops differently. In determining eligibility for the Art by the River Award, Art by the River will consider the purpose of the competition together with the artist's overall artistic career, professional experience and stage of artistic development.
1.3 Ineligible Entries
The following are not eligible to enter New Tides:
- members of the Selection Panel;
- employees of Art by the River directly involved in administering the competition;
- immediate family members of the Selection Panel;
- artists currently represented by Art by the River at the closing date for entries.
Art by the River reserves the right to determine eligibility where any actual or perceived conflict of interest may arise.
1.4 Representation During the Competition
To preserve the integrity of the competition, Art by the River will not enter into representation agreements with New Tides entrants until after the competition winners have been announced.
2. Eligible Artwork
2.1 Original Work
All artwork entered into New Tides must be the original work of the entrant.
Reproductions or copies are not eligible.
Where photography, printmaking or another editioned medium is the artist's original form of expression, original editioned works are eligible.
2.2 Previous Exhibition, Sale and Competition Entry
The submitted artwork must:
- not have been previously exhibited in a public exhibition;
- not have been previously offered for sale;
- not have been previously entered into any art competition.
2.3 Eligible Media
New Tides welcomes original contemporary artwork across a broad range of media.
Eligible media include:
- painting;
- drawing;
- original printmaking;
- photography;
- sculpture;
- ceramics;
- glass;
- textile and fibre art;
- mixed media;
- contemporary jewellery and wearable art conceived and presented as contemporary art;
- digitally created artwork, provided the submitted work is a finished physical artwork suitable for exhibition.
2.4 Ineligible Media
The following are not eligible due to the practical requirements of the New Tides exhibition:
- artwork generated wholly or substantially through artificial intelligence;
- video art;
- sound works;
- performance art;
- interactive installations;
- screen-based digital works;
- NFTs and other purely digital works.
2.5 Size and Installation
Artwork must be suitable for exhibition at Art by the River.
Size, presentation and installation requirements are set out in the How to Enter page.
If your artwork has a minor variation from the published size requirements, please contact Art by the River before entering.
Entrants are responsible for ensuring their artwork can be safely handled, transported and exhibited.
2.6 Presentation Requirements
Finalist artworks must be professionally presented and ready for exhibition.
Two-dimensional works must be ready to hang and fitted with D-rings and hanging cord (or picture wire). As a guide, D-rings should be positioned approximately one-third of the way down each side of the frame.
Three-dimensional works must be complete, stable and suitable for safe display.
Art by the River reserves the right to refuse any artwork that is not suitably presented for exhibition.
2.7 Availability
Selected finalists are required to exhibit the artwork submitted with their entry.
Substitute works will not be accepted.
If a selected artwork is unavailable for exhibition, Art by the River reserves the right to withdraw the work from the exhibition and forfeit the finalist's place.
2.8 Sale of Artwork
All selected finalist works must be available for sale throughout the exhibition.
Sales will be managed by Art by the River in accordance with the Artist Agreement provided to selected finalists.
2.9 Pricing
All selected finalist works must be offered for sale throughout the exhibition at a price agreed between the artist and Art by the River.
If a sale price cannot be agreed, Art by the River reserves the right to withdraw the work from the exhibition.
2.10 Accuracy of Information Provided
Entrants must ensure that all information and images submitted as part of their entry are accurate and fairly represent the submitted artwork.
If, at any stage of the competition, Art by the River determines that information or images submitted with an entry are materially inaccurate or misleading, Art by the River reserves the right to reject or disqualify the entry, withdraw finalist status, or withdraw the artwork from the finalist exhibition.
2.11 Art by the River’s Discretion
Art by the River reserves the right to exercise reasonable discretion in the administration of New Tides where this is consistent with the purpose and integrity of the competition.
This may include accepting minor variations from published requirements where they do not materially affect the competition or the exhibition.
Ready to Enter?
Make sure you've read the How to Enter page before completing your Entry Form.