Helping hand for up-and-coming artists

A new awards programme that will distribute $125,000 biennially to up-and-coming artists was launched in Auckland last night.

The New Generation Awards - a joint initiative between the Arts Foundation of New Zealand and Freemasons New Zealand - will award grants to artists who have demonstrated excellence in the early stages of their careers.

Five grants of $25,000 will be presented every two years to artists from any art form for them to develop their careers.

The first New Generation Awards will be held on November 22 in Wellington. Glass artist Christine Cathie has been commissioned to design the trophies for the recipients.