Molly Morpeth Canaday Award Sponsor Profiles
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The Molly Morpeth Canaday (Whakatāne) Fund
Major Award - $10,000 Molly Morpeth Canaday Award is presented by Arts Whakatāne and exhibition partner, Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi - Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre. This annual non-acquisitive award is dedicated to excellence across contemporary and traditional painting and drawing and 3D genres in alternate years. The award has developed over 30 years and sits credibly within the New Zealand arts community. A high standard of work is selected to form the exhibition from nationwide entries by three pre-selection judges working independently. For participants, the award offers professional development opportunities to artists by showcasing their practice to peers, collectors, critics, museum curators, the media and the community at large. |
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The Akel Award - $4,000
Auckland based barrister William Akel talks with me about his strong ties to Whakatāne and his connection to the arts and whenua.
Talking with William (Willy) Akel has confirmed that once a Whakatāne local, always a Whakatāne local - his love for his hometown is palpable, as is his dedication and support for the arts.
As we both enthusiastically raved about the bend in the road just at Otamarakau where the spectacular East Coast is revealed, William made the comment that he regards Whakatāne as his spiritual home. Not only was he born and bred there, but continues to engage with the community, not least by sponsoring a major prize for the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award.
William’s aspirations for Whakatāne extend beyond the iconic tourism and fishing destination, and shares our vision of the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award being promoted nationally as the pre-eminent provincial art award.
“I want to see the arts flourish in Whakatāne and be the centre of artistic excellence”
Realising that raising the bar and attracting quality entries to the MMCA requires continuing multi-level support, he knows that art can also be a challenge... “which is the point...”, and why bringing more diverse groups and schools through the exhibition is crucial.
Gaining insights into an artist’s practice and developing an inherent intuition as to what the artist is saying is how William describes the importance of the gallery’s role in the award, and commends the talks and public programmes the team at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi - Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre develop...and when asked about the importance of keeping the MMCA local and based in Whakatāne, his response is undeniable - his wish to grow the award is paramount, and kept in the region it was originated in.
Of course being established artist Robyn Hughes’s partner, and uncle to award winning artist Anoushka Akel must help his resolve to champion the arts and bringing the highest quality arts possible to the Eastern Bay of Plenty region is key.
Auckland based barrister William Akel talks with me about his strong ties to Whakatāne and his connection to the arts and whenua.
Talking with William (Willy) Akel has confirmed that once a Whakatāne local, always a Whakatāne local - his love for his hometown is palpable, as is his dedication and support for the arts.
As we both enthusiastically raved about the bend in the road just at Otamarakau where the spectacular East Coast is revealed, William made the comment that he regards Whakatāne as his spiritual home. Not only was he born and bred there, but continues to engage with the community, not least by sponsoring a major prize for the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award.
William’s aspirations for Whakatāne extend beyond the iconic tourism and fishing destination, and shares our vision of the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award being promoted nationally as the pre-eminent provincial art award.
“I want to see the arts flourish in Whakatāne and be the centre of artistic excellence”
Realising that raising the bar and attracting quality entries to the MMCA requires continuing multi-level support, he knows that art can also be a challenge... “which is the point...”, and why bringing more diverse groups and schools through the exhibition is crucial.
Gaining insights into an artist’s practice and developing an inherent intuition as to what the artist is saying is how William describes the importance of the gallery’s role in the award, and commends the talks and public programmes the team at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi - Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre develop...and when asked about the importance of keeping the MMCA local and based in Whakatāne, his response is undeniable - his wish to grow the award is paramount, and kept in the region it was originated in.
Of course being established artist Robyn Hughes’s partner, and uncle to award winning artist Anoushka Akel must help his resolve to champion the arts and bringing the highest quality arts possible to the Eastern Bay of Plenty region is key.
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Craigs Investment Partners
Youth Art Award - $2,500 Jon Murie, Authorised Financial Advisor at Craigs Investment Partners (Craigs) is clear that they are solidly invested in promoting strong communities and supporting the arts within them. The firm was born in Whakatāne in 1984, and Craigs has had a long time relationship with the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award, beginning their patronage over 6 years ago. Initially offering a runner up prize they have since adapted to the changes and growth associated with the MMCA and have put their yearly sponsorship directly to the much sought after Youth Award. “You’ll never get a more appreciative winner” Jon says - and that Craigs had a hand in launching a young emerging artist’s career, all the better - and agrees that to be endorsed by such a high level panel of judges can really make a difference to a fledgling vocation in the arts. Over the past 35+ years Craigs has grown quickly but what remains the same is their commitment to supporting the communities where they operate, from Kerikeri to Invercargill. The work that Craigs does for these communities isn’t shouted from the rooftops, but their consistent client focus and importance of continuing connections and relationship building with the arts as a conduit is an integral part of their kaupapa. Craigs offers a wide range of tailored services for all investors. If you have interest in investing you can contact Jon Murie directly at jon.murie@craigsip.com or 07 927 7880. You can also see further details of the services Craigs offers on their website www.craigsip.com Arts Whakatāne
Highly Commended Award - $1,000 Arts Whakatāne chair, Sue Whale answers some questions about the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award. Sue is an arts educator, a member of Arts Whakatāne since 1994 and staunch advocate for the arts in Whakatāne. She gained her Fine Arts and Education degree in her native Germany and emigrated to NZ in 1978. She has worked at a number of NZ secondary schools, teaching art. Sue has also been involved in the performing arts as a singer, actor, set designer and production manager in amateur and school productions. She was a paid community arts worker in Blenheim in the early 90s. Sue believes that the arts are vitally important for the health and wellbeing of a community. LF: Can you please provide a brief background of Arts Whakatāne's involvement with the MMCA? SW: The award for Painting and Drawing was founded in 1985 (by Lyn Dawson and Jacqui Hughes). At the time that the Whakatāne District Community Arts Council (hereafter Arts Whakatāne) was formed, the initial sponsor was Shell and it was named The Shell Art Award. Tasman then provided the major sponsorship for the Painting and Drawing Award for one year in 1990 (named as the Tasman Art Award). In 1991 the Trustees of the Molly Morpeth Canaday (Whakatāne) Fund took over the major sponsorship in support of the aims and objectives of Frank Harrison Canaday’s memorial to his wife, artist Molly Morpeth Canaday. The Award was subsequently renamed the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award (MMCA). The Molly Morpeth Canaday Trust in association with Whakatāne Society of Arts and Craft Inc. initiated the first 3D award in 1997, presented by Museum and Arts in the old Boon St location. In 2013 the Painting and Drawing exhibition was relocated from the Whakatāne Memorial Complex, Short St., Whakatāne, to the newly built Te Kōputu a Te Whanga a Toi - Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre. In 2016 the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award branding was progressed, then in 2018 Molly Morpeth Canaday Award was extended to include both exhibitions of Painting and Drawing and 3D Art Form separately in alternating years. The Painting and Drawing and the 3D Art Form are both staged in the summer months, between February and April. LF: What kind of value do you place on the sponsorship and support of the arts in Aotearoa? SW: Sponsorship by businesses, organisations and individuals is essential for the arts to flourish in Aotearoa. The only government support for the arts is through Creative New Zealand. However their funds are limited and need to be supplemented by private sponsors. LF: What are the most important aspects of the sponsorship of MMCA to you? SW: Since Arts Whakatane is the organisation which manages the MMCA, we also like to support it in this more direct way. Relationship building with the arts community is an important aspect of this. LF: What has been an unexpected but satisfying result of sponsoring the MMCA? SW: To help an emerging or more established artist to gain wider recognition. LF: What has been the best aspect of collaborating with the MMCA? SW: Our role of managing the MMCA is often overlooked or misunderstood by the general public. By sponsoring an award we are clearly seen to be supporting the MMCA. Besides the major prize by the MMCA Trust, it is very important to have a range of minor prizes to make applying for the artists more attractive and rewarding. Therefore sponsorship of the "lesser" awards is vitally important to keep the MMCA going. LF: How important is it that the MMCA remains based in Whakatāne and supported by the local community? SW: Very important. We have built a unique relationship between the MMCA Trust, Arts Whakatāne and the Gallery team which results in a nationally recognised annual exhibition. It puts the small town of Whakatāne on the map and draws visitors to the gallery and the town. National publications report on the award show and help to consolidate the importance of the award. |
Craigs Authorised Financial Adviser Jon Murie congratulates 2021 Painting and Drawing Youth Award winner Wesley John Fourie.
Judges viewing 2020 Arts Whakatāne Highly commended award winner Three Graces - U'ufoasini, Akale'a, Ta'alea by Telly Tuita, Wellington
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The Incubator Award
Exhibition Package value $1,500 Simone Anderson is the founder and Director of Tauranga based creative hub The Incubator. A multi faceted arts and culture destination located at the Tauranga Historic Village, The Incubator supports emerging and established artists in the Bay of Plenty community and beyond. A new sponsor of the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award, Simone recognises the incredible value and reputation of the Molly Morpeth Canaday Award to New Zealand artists, and sees their sponsorship as an opportunity to contribute to the success and outcomes of the award. The Incubator Award is valued at $1,500 and offers the recipient a full exhibition package which includes a comprehensive mentoring aspect. Simone says the exhibition process, planning a cohesive body of work and time management are all essential parts of an artist's professional and self development, but it can be difficult to get a solo exhibition in a gallery setting. This award offers either a significant first milestone or another important notch in the ever developing biography of a practising artist. “The Incubator has a huge commitment to valuing the Arts. We know as much as any individual or organisation how hard it is especially for emerging and self employed creatives – so when we can support and highlight the arts we will always be there”. |
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