2026 AOTEAROA ART FAIR SCULPTURE TRAIL
We are delighted to open submissions for the 2026 Aotearoa Art Fair Sculpture Trail, presented by Viaduct Harbour.
ABOUT THE SCULPTURE TRAIL
The Aotearoa Art Fair Sculpture Trail, presented by Viaduct Harbour is a month-long public outdoor exhibition staged across Auckland’s vibrant Viaduct Harbour in April and May to coincide with the Aotearoa Art Fair. Showcasing a dynamic selection of large-scale sculptural works, the Trail offers a unique platform for galleries to present significant works to new audiences in one of Auckland’s most iconic locations.
In 2025, over 516,000 people visited Viaduct Harbour over the course of the Trail. Extensive media coverage was generated with an estimated PR reach of 10 million, and participating artists and galleries achieved strong sales.
We now invite galleries to submit proposals for the 2026 Aotearoa Art Fair Sculpture Trail, taking place alongside Aotearoa Art Fair. This is a unique opportunity to present works in one of Auckland’s most iconic public settings, reaching new audiences and benefiting from the visibility and momentum of the Fair.
LOCATIONS
Sculptures are installed in key sites across Viaduct Harbour and in front of the Viaduct Events Centre. A draft site map is found at the bottom of the page for your reference. Please note these sites have not been confirmed and are a reference only. Please indicate your preferred location on the application form. Final placements will be confirmed in consultation with the curatorial panel and Viaduct Harbour team.
SELECTION PROCESS
All submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee and are based on the following criteria. Due to limited space, not all submissions can be accepted. Participating galleries will be notified in writing by 17 December 2025.
Key Criteria and Considerations for Selection:
– Artistic Quality: Works should represent high-quality contemporary sculpture.
– Pieces must be suitable for outdoor display in the Viaduct Harbour
– Consideration must be given to how pieces will engage with the public and Viaduct Harbour
– Scale and Ambition: Outdoor sculptures need to be large enough (both physically and conceptually) to make an impact in the setting.
– Durability and Materials: Since the works are outdoors, the materials have to withstand the elements (weather, moisture, temperature, possibly wind). Also considerations about maintenance, safety, and structural integrity. Artists/galleries are responsible for engineering, stability, and maintenance.
– Transport, Installation & Logistics: The work must be feasible to transport to the Viaduct Harbour. There is no drilling into the ground so the work needs to be able to be able to safely stand freely or secured to a plinth. Installation will take place in consultation with the Viaduct Harbour team.
– Site Compatibility: Works must be appropriate to the location — both visually and regarding their physical footprint; safety for visitors is essential. Also environmental and regulatory constraints (e.g. permissions, park rules).
– Public Safety: Sculptures must be technically suitable for outdoor installation. Safety elements must be considered with no sharp edges and un safe heights. It must be stable and can withstand extreme weather.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
Deborah McComick
Director
Deborah McCormick Consulting (DMC)
Deborah McCormick believes that public art is the keystone to a vibrant, thriving city. With 27 years’ experience bringing art into public spaces, Deborah is an industry leader and visionary with expertise in public and private partnership models, project delivery, arts management, public arts policy, strategic business planning and public and international relations.
Well-known for her work creating and moulding SCAPE Public Art into a respected and recognisable organisation on the international stage, Deborah is passionate about taking art into context outside of gallery spaces, where people can get exposure to public art. Deborah brings her considerable experience in Aotearoa’s arts and cultural landscape to Deborah McCormick Consulting (DMC) Limited, to bring together a range of opportunities and partnerships in New Zealand’s public art sector.
Sue Waymouth
Director of the Aotearoa Art Fair.
Sue has been working with the Aotearoa Art Fair since 2023 and is the current Director of the Fair. Sue instigated the inaugural Aotearoa Art Fair Sculpture Trail in 2025 and worked with Viaduct Harbour Holdings Ltd to bring it to life. She has held senior marketing roles in New Zealand and Internationally and has run her own marketing consultancy firm with a focus on supporting the arts. She has held governance roles as a Trustee of The Michael Hill Violin Competition and is the Co-Chair of the Contemporary Benefactors, a philanthropic tier of the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.
Tyson Campbell
Tyson Campbell (Te Rarawa/Ngāti Maniapoto) is an artist and independent curator based in Tāmaki Makaurau. He has held several significant curatorial positions, including at Artspace Aotearoa and SCAPE Public Art. As a strong advocate for contemporary art, Tyson’s practice spans curatorial leadership, governance, and education, with a focus on supporting artists to realise ambitious projects across Aotearoa and Australia. His work is guided by principles of exchange, relationality, and the importance of Māori and Indigenous voices in shaping the national and international cultural landscape. Tyson is Co-chair of Artspace Aotearoa and a Kaiako (teacher) at Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland.
Celeste Labana-Clayton
Head of Marketing, Viaduct Harbour Holdings Group
Celeste has over 20 years of marketing experience. Celeste has been instrumental in the development of the Aotearoa Art Fair Sculpture Trail. Coming from a global marketing background, specialising in destination and major events including FIFA, Tourism NZ and leading VF-Corp brand Icebreaker’s regional marketing across Australia and NZ. Celeste brings a wealth of experience in strategic and executional marketing management with a proven track record in developing and driving award-winning brand activations and campaigns.
COST
There is no participation fee to show sculpture work in the sculpture trail if selected. Transport and installation costs need to be covered by the gallery. Some financial assistance may be available upon request.
SALES
Works included in the Sculpture Trail may be offered for sale through the representing gallery if desired. Where applicable, sales enquiries will be directed to the gallery.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Financial assistance may be available to help offset transport and installation costs. These details can be confirmed once works are selected.
HOW TO SUBMIT
1. Complete the Submission Form.
2. Please provide a single PDF with your submission which includes the following proposal information:
1. Short artist bio
2. 1-4 images maximum of the proposed artwork
3. 1-4 images maximum of previous public artworks
4. Short description of the proposed artwork
5. Plans or render if it’s a new artwork
6. Explanation of how your work addresses the Key Criteria and Considerations for Selection:
– Artistic Quality
– Scale and Ambition
– Durability and Materials
– Transport, Installation & Logistics
– Site Compatibility
– Public Safety
To be emailed to: [email protected].
(Please name the PDF file as ArtistName_SculptureName.)
DEADLINE
Submissions must be received by 28 November.
