Since 2007, the hugely popular Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition has run every second summer at the Auckland Botanic Gardens. This will be the ninth exhibition. An outdoor trail of exhibiting sculptures will run for two kilometres through 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 328,000 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 16 November 2024 – 2 March 2025, 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 a concept sketch in 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 27 permanent sculptures (most purchased by the Friends of the Gardens from previous Sculpture in the Gardens exhibitions). This significant collection of 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. A Curatorial Panel selects the artists and exhibition locations, bringing together the experience and knowledge of Linda Tyler, Catherine Hamilton and Terry Urbahn. An installation team is comprised of Gardens staff and experienced installation contractors.

• 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 a long outdoor exhibition, with thousands of visitors. Your sculpture and its materials must be robust enough to withstand weathering and public viewing and interaction with the work. We won’t choose works that look to be unsafe or fragile.
• New sculptures are preferred but works that have already been exhibited might be accepted – let us know!

• Please mark on the map provided up to three suggested locations.
• 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 Curatorial Panel will select artists 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.
• The Curatorial Panel is Linda Tyler, Catherine Hamilton and Terry Urbahn.
• Selected artists will be announced 8 March 2024.
• The Curatorial Panel’s decisions are final and no discussion will be entered into.

Applications are open now and close 14 February 2024. To enter, please complete the application form online.

Please include:
• A brief CV and/or biography and details of previous work.
• An artist statement about the proposal, including how this work will be robust enough for an outdoor exhibition and how it relates to the garden setting.
• A4 Concept sketches/photos (no maquettes please, however, photographs of them are permitted). Take care with the concept sketch – if selected it will be displayed in the Concept Gallery during the exhibition.
• Mark on the map provided any location suggestions
• If your sculpture is one of an edition, please provide details.

You will receive acknowledgement of your entry via email within five working days.

• You will be required to sign the Artist Contract including insurance, transport, installation, Health and Safety and security details.
• A stipend of $2500 + GST will be paid to you once the Artist Contract is signed.
• You will liase 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 yourself, and your sculpture for event promotional purposes.
• You will need to create your sculpture on time, and 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 17 April 2024. Assistance with some travel costs can be provided.
• Artists will be able to discuss individual requirements with the exhibition organisers and curators, and gain an understanding of the engineering and installation / deinstallation support available.
• The 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.
• A programme detailing all installation and deinstallation details including dates and Health and Safety will be agreed to keep artists, contractors, staff and public safe and the exhibition on time.
• Health and Safety is a priority for us all – all sculptures will be installed under supervision of staff and/or contractors, and all onsite must strictly follow the agreed Health and Safety plans.
• Although artists will be responsible for installing and deinstalling their own work, the 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 25%.
• 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 25% 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.

A new awards programme is currently under development.