Call for Artists for 2026–27 Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition
information and terms and conditions

Submissions are now closed

About the exhibition

  • Since 2007, the hugely popular Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition has run every second summer at the Auckland Botanic Gardens. This will be the tenth exhibition of larger scale sculpture works located throughout the gardens taking in the varied landscape, from expansive lawns to lakes, stands of trees to mass plantings of flowers.

    Many New Zealand artists, from our most well-known to our new and emerging, have enjoyed exhibiting. Drawcards for artists include the exhibition’s long running time, numerous visitors and supportive exhibition team.

    During the last exhibition 360,000 visitors came through the Gardens, with a high percentage attending specifically to see the exhibition.

    Exhibiting sculptures (indoor and out) are offered for sale (commissions apply).

  • The exhibition runs across three and a half months of summer, from 14 November 2026 – 28 February 2027, when the Gardens are at their most vibrant and visitation is highest.

  • As well as exhibiting outdoors, Sculpture in the Gardens artists are invited to exhibit works in the Huakaiwaka Indoor Gallery and to provide a concept sketch for the Concept Gallery (both within the Huakaiwaka Visitor Centre).

  • Entry, parking and maps are free for visitors, with signage, videos and self-guided walks also made available for visitors to learn about the artists and their works.

  • The Gardens display 28 permanent sculptures (most purchased by the Friends of the Gardens from previous Sculpture in the Gardens exhibitions). This significant collection of Aotearoa New Zealand art relates well to its settings and attracts year-round attention.

  • The exhibition is a joint venture between the Gardens and the Friends and is governed by an organising committee. Our experienced and knowledgeable curatorial panel of Linda Tyler, Olivia Haddon and Terry Urbahn selects the artists and exhibition locations. An installation team is comprised of Gardens staff and experienced installation contractors.

How to make your submission

    • Submissions are accepted from any resident New Zealand artists.

    • All types, shapes, sizes and forms of sculpture will be considered.

    • We encourage works that respond innovatively to the garden setting and tell stories about the Gardens. Examples could include messages about the environment, gardening and plants, how visitors use the Gardens, or how it relates to a specific garden setting.

    • This is an outdoor exhibition, with thousands of visitors over a long period of time. Your sculpture and its materials must be robust enough to withstand weathering, and public viewing and interaction with the work. We will not choose works that look to be unsafe or fragile.

    • New sculptures are preferred but works that have already been exhibited may be accepted – let us know on the online submission form.

    • You will be given a chance to suggest three preferred locations for your work when you make your submission online.

    • Locations include open grassed areas, various themed gardens, wooded glades, and lakes.

    • You can visit the Gardens to view the range of sites and suggest ones best suited to your proposal. Please request on-site assistance if needed.

    • Where possible the curatorial panel will accommodate artists’ suggested sites. However, the final site allocation will be at their discretion.

    • Our experienced and knowledgeable curatorial panel is Linda Tyler, Olivia Haddon and Terry Urbahn.

    • Our curatorial panel will select artists based on their proposed work’s artistic merit, its relationship to the Gardens, its suitability to withstand a long outdoor exhibition, and the artist’s ability to fulfil the brief. Also taken into consideration is the requirement for a cohesive and varied exhibition.

    • The curatorial panel’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

    • Selected artists will be announced 24 February 2026.

  • Applications are open now and close Wednesday 11 February 2026. To enter, please complete the application form online.

    Please include everything requested on the online application form including:

    • Details of your proposed work including title, materials, dimensions, weight estimate and a suggested retail price.

    • Contact details.

    • Your artist statement.

    • Your preferred location (a map is provided in the online form).

    • The site specificity of your proposed work.

    • Design considerations for robustness.

    • Previous exhibiting experience, including your artist biography and a list of recent exhibitions.

    • Images of your proposed work, as well as relevant past work.

    If successful you will be asked to provide A4 concept sketches/photos (no maquettes please, however photographs of them are permitted) to be displayed in the Concept Gallery during the exhibition.

Terms and conditions

    • You will be required to sign the artist contract including insurance, transport, installation, health and safety and security details.

    • A stipend of $3,000+gst will be paid to you once the artist contract is signed and we have received your invoice.

    • You will liaise with the exhibition team on the timeline for installation, promotions, events you can attend, your stipend payment, the Artists’ Working Day, and having our engineers design your footing if required.

    • We will use images of you and your sculpture for event promotional purposes.

    • You will need to create your sculpture on time, and of the size and style as it was selected. Our curatorial panel have the right to refuse any completed work that is significantly different to the selected concept.

    • Artists will be invited to attend the Artists’ Working Day on 15 April 2026.

    • Artists will be able to discuss individual requirements with the exhibition organisers and curators to gain an understanding of the engineering and installation/deinstallation support available.

    • Artists will have the opportunity to meet with the other exhibiting artists.

    • An overview of the main outdoor exhibition will be provided as well as information about the indoor exhibition.

    • Artists are responsible for safely transporting their work to and from the exhibition.

    • Provided detailed information of installation and deinstallation, including dates and health and safety, must be adhered to in order to keep artists, contractors, staff and public safe and the exhibition on time.

    • Health and safety is a priority for us all. Every sculpture will be installed under supervision of staff and/or contractors, and all those on site must strictly follow the agreed health and safety protocol.

    • Although artists will be responsible for installing and deinstalling their own work, planning, management and assistance (with lifting etc) will be provided by staff, engineers and contractors as required and agreed.

    • Insurance and security details will be agreed after the works are selected.

    • All exhibited sculptures will be offered publicly for sale by the Friends.

    • The commission rate on outdoor works is 30%.

    • Any arrangement artists may have with art dealers needs to be allowed for separately.

    • Sold works will remain in place for the duration of the show.

    • The 30% commission to the Friends will be applicable to further commissions generated for artists over the duration of the show that resulted from the show’s publicity.

    • The Supreme Award winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize.

    • The work winning the Acquisition Award is purchased by the Friends for the permanent collection.

    • The People’s Choice Award winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize.

    • The winners will be announced at the Opening Event with the People’s Choice Award winner being announced publicly 14 February 2027 and presented at the Closing Event on 28 February 2027.

Sculpture in the Gardens – Artist area reference

    • The extent of the exhibition area for the 2026–27 exhibition is shown by the yellow shading.

    • In the online form please suggest three preferred locations for your sculpture.

    • Please note – If you are selected to exhibit, you will discuss and agree the site choice with the Curatorial Panel onsite during the Artists’ Working Day.

    • The Gardens are open daily from 6.30am to 8.00pm (summer hours).

    • Huakaiwaka Visitor Centre is open from 8.00am to 4.30pm.

    • The address is 102 Hill Road, Manurewa, Auckland.

    • For onsite directions and assistance visit, or call, the Huakaiwaka Visitor Centre on (09) 267 1457.

    • For details about the individual gardens please go to:
      aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz/collections

    • For queries or site choice assistance please contact: gardens@alcova.co.nz

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