Finalists’ Exhibition:
September 11 - 19 October
Secondary School Art Awards 2025
2025 Winners
First Place — Prize of $1,000
Api II — Giovanni Siasau (Year 13) Liston CollegeSecond Place — Prize of $500
Perditus — Sean Wilson (Year 13) Selwyn CollegeThird Place — Prize of $350
The Four Holy Beasts — Isabella Chen (Year 12) Botany Downs Secondary College
Pictured from left to right: Anita Tótha (Director, The Arts House Trust), Sean Wilson (Second Place), Giovanni Siasau (First Place), Isabella Chen (Third Place), Brett Graham (Guest Judge).
Now in its 13th consecutive year, the Secondary School Art Awards celebrates the imagination, skill, and creativity of Aotearoa’s young artists. This year we are honoured to have contemporary Māori artist, Brett Graham (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Tainui) as Guest Judge.
The Arts House Trust is proud to present the Secondary School Art Awards, open to Year 11, 12 and 13 art students nationwide. This year saw close to 600 entries submitted from 163 schools, reflecting the breadth of emerging talent across the country.
Entrants submit a digital copy of their art, and from this remarkable pool, a shortlist of 70 finalists has been chosen to showcase their work publicly at The Arts House Trust, Pah Homestead, offering audiences a window into the next generation of New Zealand’s creative voices. Winners are selected by Guest Judge, Brett Graham, alongside The Arts House Trust Curatorial team. Prize money is awarded for first place ($1,000), second place ($500), third place ($350) and the People’s Choice Award ($500) which is voted for by visitors during the exhibition and announced after the last day on view.
The Secondary School Art Awards are more than a competition: they are a platform for students to challenge themselves, grow their confidence, and connect with others who share their passion for creativity. For many participants, this marks their first experience of presenting work in an exhibition context beyond their school community.
At the heart of the awards is a commitment to recognising, celebrating, and nurturing emerging artistic talent, providing students with both encouragement and inspiration to continue developing their creative journeys.
