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.
In 2026, we welcome Sydney-based artist Jude Rae as judge. Click here for the judge’s profile.
Entries are now closed and finalists will be notified by 15 April.
Prizewinners will be announced on 20 May. The exhibition of finalists will run from 21 May to 9 August at the NZ Portrait Gallery, and will be followed by a nationwide tour.