Kimbolton Sculpture Festival Artist Information Pack 2027
Artist Information Pack – Art Exhibition
The Kimbolton Sculpture Festival celebrates creativity emerging from rural workshops, studios, and homes. Alongside the outdoor sculpture exhibition, the Art Exhibition showcases high-quality two-dimensional and hand-crafted works that reflect the land, its people, and the creativity it inspires.
While the Sculpture Awards form the competitive heart of the festival, the Art Exhibition provides a curated, non-competitive space for artists to exhibit and sell their work.
1. The Event
The Kimbolton Sculpture Festival is held bi-annually in Kimbolton, Manawatū, bringing together sculptors, artists, makers, and the wider community for a one-day celebration of art, creativity, and rural life.
2. Who Can Apply
Applications are open to:
Emerging and established artists
Local and regional creatives (preference may be given to local artists)
Artists working across a range of 2D and hand-crafted media
3. Exhibition Categories
Work may be submitted in the following categories:
Painting (watercolour, oil, acrylic, etc.)
Printmaking
Mixed media
Photography
Digital/AI-generated art (must be clearly labelled)
Textile arts
Handcraft (weaving, quilting, embroidery, etc.)
Note: Sculptures must be entered through the Sculpture Awards and are not eligible for this exhibition.
4. Selection Process
Entry is by online registration.
Inclusion is not automatic—all applications are selected by the organising committee.
Selected artists will be invited to submit final artwork details.
The number of works accepted in each category is limited.
The committee reserves the right to accept or decline any application. Decisions are final.
5. Registration Fee
Selected artists will be charged a $50 fee (incl. GST).
Payment by 25 March 2027 secures your place in the exhibition.
Unpaid registrations may be released to other applicants.
6. Exhibition Standards
To align with the overall quality of the festival:
Artwork must:
Be original and the artist’s own work
Have been completed within the last two years
Match the quality and style of submitted images
Be professionally presented and ready to hang
Be for sale at the time of the festival
Presentation requirements:
Swing label on front (artist, title, medium, category, price)
Details also clearly marked on the back
Professional framing required
D-rings positioned within the top ¼–⅓ of the work
Suitable hanging wire attached
Size limit:
Maximum 1.25m on the longest edge (2D works)
7. Safety and Suitability
Works must be safe, stable, and suitable for indoor display.
The organisers may decline or remove any work deemed unsafe or inappropriate.
8. Delivery and Collection
Delivery:
Friday prior to the festival (8:00am – 5:00pm)
Collection:
After 4:00pm on festival day
All artwork must be collected by 5:00pm Sunday
Transport:
All transport and handling costs are the responsibility of the artist
Uncollected works may incur handling or transport charges.
9. Sales and Commission
Exclusivity
The Artist grants the Trust exclusive rights to sell any artwork during the festival and for 30 days thereafter via the ruralart.nzwebsite.
Artists agree not to sell these works privately during this period.
Commission
Festival commission: 20% (incl. GST)
Artist receives: 80%
Payments
Payments of artwork sold during and after the festival will be made within 3 days working days of sale via internet banking.
Sales Process during the festival
All sales will be processed at the festival office through the Kimbolton Arts & Sculpture Trust bank account
Sold artwork must remain on display until the close of the festival
Online sales
Online sale will be processed on the www.ruralart.nz website through the Kimbolton Arts & Sculpture Trust bank account
10. Delivery of Sold Works
Festival-day collection arranged between buyer and artist
Online sales: freight paid by purchaser
11. Promotion and Visibility
The Trust reserve the right to promote selected works:
Via festival social media channels
As part of the wider festival marketing programme
Artists agree to the use of images for promotional purposes.
12. Copyright and Authenticity
All works must comply with copyright law
Works must be original and not copied
Copyright remains with the artist unless transferred at sale
13. Liability and Insurance
All care will be taken, but the Trust accepts no responsibility for loss, damage, or theft
Artists are responsible for insuring their own work if required
Responsibility for artworks in transit lies with the Artist.
14. Disputes
The Trust will not mediate disputes between buyer and seller
Disputes should be referred to the Disputes Tribunal
Key Dates
Registrations close: 5:00pm, 1 March 2027
Artwork registration details due: 5:00pm, 20 March 2027
Payment due: 25 March 2027
Final Note
The Art Exhibition complements the Sculpture Festival by showcasing the breadth of creative expression inspired by rural life. Together, they create a vibrant, accessible, and engaging experience for artists and visitors alike.