The Wallace Art Awards was an annual visual arts award ceremony in New Zealand, established in 1992 and running until 2021. Their goal was to "support, promote and expose contemporary New Zealand art and artists".

History

The awards were established by James Wallace in 1992. Awards were made for contemporary painting, sculpture and photography and were run by the James Wallace Charitable Arts Trust. By 2021 the prizes offered were valued at more than NZ$275,000 and included the offer of artists' residencies overseas. The New Zealand Herald described the list of award recipients as "an arts world who's who". The 2018 awards were presented by the Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy at the Pah Homestead, Auckland on 3 September 2018. In 2020, the trust did not offer residencies as prizes and instead offered cash equivalent prizes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The awards were cancelled in 2021, with the James Wallace Charitable Arts Trust announcing that it was "refreshing" its strategic plan. In 2023, when Wallace's 2021 conviction for sexual offending was made public, it was reported that the trust had ended its relationship with Wallace and been renamed The Arts House Trust.

Paramount Award

Jury Award

This award began in 2005.

People’s Choice Award

This award began in 2005.

The Wallace Arts Trust Vermont Award Winner

From 2006 to 2007 known as the Development Award, 2008–2009 as the Park Lane Wallace Trust Development Award, 2006–2013 as the Wallace Arts Trust Development Award.

Glaister Ennor Award

This award was only given in 2006.

The Kaipara Foundation Wallace Trust Award

This award began in 2008.

Fulbright-Wallace Arts Trust Award

This award began in 2009.

The British School at Rome Residency Award Winner

This award began in 2017.

Martin Tate Wallace Artist Residency Award

This award is by invitation only, and is awarded to a senior artist who is unlikely to apply for a Wallace Award.