The Adam Portraiture Award is Aotearoa’s most prestigious and popular portraiture prize.

This biennial competition for painted portraits is held at The New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata and generously sponsored by the Adam Foundation. The Adam Portraiture Award is a major touring exhibition which gives contemporary portrait artists the opportunity to have their work shown on the national stage. It plays an important role in recording the changing face of Aotearoa. The first award was held in 2000, and since 2006, the winning artwork has been acquired by the New Zealand Portrait Gallery.

Enter Now →

Entries to the 2026 competition are now open
New First Prize $30,000!

The next Adam Portraiture Award exhibition will be held between 21 May and 9 August 2026. For everything you need to know, including rules and how to enter, please see the links below.

Entries close 4pm, 18 March 2026

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ENTRY →

Meet the 2026 Judge →

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS →