Judge Confirmed for 2013 National Contemporary Art Award

18 January 2013

Jon Bywater, a well-known art critic and senior lecturer at Elam Art School has accepted the challenge to judge the 2013 National Contemporary Art Award hosted by Waikato Museum.  

Waikato Museum Director Cherie Meecham is pleased with the appointment.

“Jon Bywater is a thinker, a writer and a judge with a strong arts background and we are excited about working with him this year,” she says.

“The judge’s role is critical to the final outcome of the award. Through elimination, it is the judge who curates the award, shaping the final exhibition as well as choosing the ultimate winners and we are very confident of Jon’s ability.”  

Bywater has links with the Waikato having been a Critical Studies lecturer at Wintec and was Head of Theory at UNITECH School of Design. 

He is the New Zealand reviewer for Arts Forum International and has a sustained involvement as a columnist for a number of arts and music magazines including the Listener and Art New Zealand. He is a board member for Artspace Auckland and the New Zealand Audio Foundation.  

The National Contemporary Art Award is in its twelfth year at Waikato Museum and the museum is currently seeking a sponsor for the award. Last year the award was sponsored by arts philanthropist Barry Hopkins, who along with other key members of the Waikato Society of Arts initiated what we now know as the National Painting and Printmaking Award, and the National Contemporary Art Award.  

“We are seeking a sponsor who shares our vision to keep the vibrancy of fine arts alive,” says Ms Meecham.  

Entry numbers have continued to grow for the award and part of the criteria is that entrants must live in New Zealand. Entries will open for the 2013 National Contemporary Art Award on 15 February and close 3 May. The winner and three merit award winners will be announced at a gala opening on 16 August.

For more information visit www.waikatomuseum.co.nz/NCAA    

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:  

NAME: Cherie Meecham
DESIGNATION: Director Waikato Museum
TEL (DIRECT): 07 838 6709
MOBILE: 021 905 186
EMAIL: cherie.meecham@hcc.govt.nz