Leave a legacy for the arts of the nation

Twisted Flax Pods by Ann Robinson, 2004 Laureate.

A gift for excellence

The arts are an integral part of society; they enrich lives and add depth and vitality to the human spirit. New Zealand arts are renowned internationally and at home as world class. All New Zealanders have the opportunity to support the arts through a will adjustment in favour of the Arts Foundation.

Arts Foundation of New Zealand

A non-profit Charitable Trust, the Arts Foundation of New Zealand recognises, supports and rewards artistic excellence through an ever-growing programme of projects and Awards. Arts Foundation Trustees and Governors work in partnership with leaders in the arts community to deliver effective programmes to support New Zealand’s arts now, and for generations to come.

Ways to support the arts

The Arts Foundation manages four major award programmes. Biennially, five artists in the early stage of career are awarded $25,000 at the New Generation Awards, and senior New Zealand artists are honoured as Icons. Annually, the Foundation awards five artists in mid career with $50,000 Laureate Awards and a Patron of the Arts is celebrated and asked to distribute $20,000 to support artistic excellence. By the end of its first eight years of existence, the Foundation will have distributed $1,805,000 to 49 artists and honoured 21 artists as Icons. Supporters of the Foundation contribute to all of these programmes.

As the Foundation’s support grows through donations and bequests, more programmes will be implemented. The Foundation is developing new projects to provide effective support to the arts and works with the arts community to identify needs in the area.

You can help

Donations from New Zealanders are invested in perpetuity in the Arts Foundation of New Zealand Endowment Fund, from which all income generated is used to support the arts.

A gift through your will is a powerful way to assist the arts. Making provision in your will does not affect your income during your lifetime. It will, however, benefit New Zealand through an investment in the arts and culture of the nation by building a substantial permanent fund for the arts.

Your gift can be a specific amount of money, part of your estate, the residue of your estate after distributions, or specific property including real estate, shares, securities, and any other realisable assets. Your gift will be preserved as a capital sum to generate annual income in perpetuity (unless you specify otherwise). We recommend that you consult with your legal advisors and the Arts Foundation on the most appropriate arrangement to meet your philanthropic aims.

Donations benefit all art forms throughout New Zealand. The Arts Foundation has supported artists from the far north to the deep south in forms such as painting, choreography, theatre, film and music, to name a few.

Making your will

Your legal advisor will advise you on the appropriate wording for your will, however the following can be used as a guide for general donations to the Arts Foundation Endowment:

"I give the Charitable Trust known as the Arts Foundation of New Zealand the sum of $_____ (OR X% of my residuary estate) (OR the balance of my estate) (OR the following assets) for its permanent Endowment Fund and I direct that the receipt of the Executive Director or any officer of the Foundation shall be sufficient discharge to my trustees".

For legacies for specific purposes, please consult with your advisor or the Arts Foundation for wording options.

| Download Legacy Form

Guide to Solicitors

Further advice to lawyers can be found in the Arts Foundation's Guide to Solicitors. This document is intended as an aid to advisors of potential donors who are thinking of donating a significant amount to the Arts Foundation Endowment fund, whether as a gift or bequest or both. Copies of the Guide to Solicitors can also be requested by e-mail at admin@artsfoundation.org.nz.

| Download guide to solicitors