The Arts Foundation of New Zealand is proud to announce a new partnership with Webb's - Fine Art Auctioneers.Webb's are the Presenting Sponsor of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand Award for Patronage.

The Arts Foundation of New Zealand is proud to announce a new partnership with Webb's - Fine Art Auctioneers.Webb's are the Presenting Sponsor of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand Award for Patronage.

The annual Award honours a philanthropist for their generous support of the arts. In 2006, the inaugural recipients were Denis and Verna Adam. The 2007 recipient of the Award will be announced at a special ceremony on May 8th at the Auckland Art Gallery.

"As a company with an in-depth understanding of the quality of New Zealand art, the Arts Foundation is proud to be associated with Webb's," said Ros Burdon, Chairman of the Arts Foundation. "We are grateful for Webb's generous support of the Arts Foundation and their contribution to recognising our leading arts patrons." "Webb's has strongly supported the visual arts in New Zealand since its inception over thirty years ago", said Peter Webb, Director of Webb's. "We have done this by pioneering a sound secondary market for local works of art; by cataloguing and displaying such works in a professional manner and by initiating 'collectives' to further introduce buyers into the market. It therefore makes perfect sense for Webb's to give its enthusiastic support to an award that recognises the vital role of the patron and donor in the world of the arts. Without the foresight and generosity of patrons, we as a community would be very much the poorer."

The Arts Foundation of New Zealand Award for Patronage is made annually to a person, couple, or private trust for outstanding private contributions to the arts. The recipients of this Award will, in time, constitute a grand circle of New Zealand patrons whose generosity has impacted significantly on New Zealand, by nourishing, enriching and bringing us closer to the artistic world. Honoured for their philanthropy, the recipients are celebrated as role models for all those who are passionate about the arts and as inspiration to those that wish to support the arts to do so at any level.

Trustees of the Arts Foundation select the recipients of the Award. To demonstrate that patronage is alive and well the recipient is provided the task of distributing $20,000 (gifted by the Arts Foundation) to artists or arts projects of their choice. The Foundation intends the gifting of funds to the arts as an appropriate reward for the patrons and a direct honour of them as experts in supporting the arts. "Through its association with the Arts Foundation, Forsyth Barr too understands the value of patronage, so we are delighted to welcome Webb's to the family of supporters and sponsors. Their support for the Arts Foundation of New Zealand's Award for Patronage speaks volumes of their understanding of the vital role that Patrons play. We look forward to joining with them and the Arts Foundation on May 8 in Auckland," said Neil Paviour-Smith, Managing Director, Forsyth Barr. 17/4/07

Image: Recipients of the 2007 Arts Foundation of New Zealand Award for Patronage, Denis and Verna Adam.