We are delighted to announce that Te Uru is the new home of prestigious painting award The Rydal Art Prize.

The Rydal Art Prize is one of Aotearoa’s biggest art prizes with a biennial award of $25,000. The Rydal Art Prize was founded and had its first three iterations at Tauranga Art Gallery. The winners have been an impressive line-up: Christina Pataialii 2019, Ayesha Green 2021 and Owen Conners 2023.

The Fourth Rydal Art Prize winner will be selected this year by a panel of nationally recognised art professionals. The winner will be announced at an event later this year at Te Uru and will exhibit at Te Uru later in 2026.  

Te Uru Director AD Schierning says, "The Rydal Art Prize makes a significant impact on an artist’s ability to develop new work and invest in their practice. Te Uru is thrilled to have been chosen as the new home for The Rydal Art Prize and to be a part of this continued support of artistic development in Aotearoa."

Felicity McGrath Seeds Trust trustee states, “Seeds Trust trustees are absolutely delighted that the team at Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery have welcomed the Prize with open doors. It is wonderful that The Rydal Art Prize can continue to give selected artists of Aotearoa the opportunity to show and develop their works.”

Once Tauranga Art Gallery has reopened after their major redevelopment, Owen Conners will present his exhibition in their second season. Director Sonya Korohina says “Following the successful cycle of awards we are thrilled that the Prize is able to continue in Tāmaki. I’d like to thank all those that have been involved in this prize, and wish Te Uru and Seeds Trust every success.”