Southland Creative Arts Awards 2026
15 August 2026
The Ascot Park Hotel
Invercargill
Recognising the amazing people in our local arts sector
The Southland Creative Arts Awards delivers an unforgettable evening, celebrating the vibrant arts scene and the remarkable achievements that continue to shape Southland’s creative community.
The gala awards dinner is a tribute to the dedication and hard work that fuels the region’s thriving arts sector, recognising not only outstanding artistic contributions but also the behind-the-scenes efforts that keep arts organisations running.
This event provides a unique opportunity for the Murihiku arts community to come together, honoring both emerging talents and established artists while celebrating the collective excellence that defines Southland’s artistic landscape.
Tickets
Get your glitterati on!
Join us for a spectacular event celebrating and recognising the amazing people in our local arts sector. There will be a three-course dinner, awards ceremony and top entertainment to dance the night away, all at the Ascot Park Hotel.
Book Tickets
Award Categories
Nominations for the Southland Creative Arts Awards 2026 will be announced soon
Finalist for SCAA:
Southland Express Patronage award:
Awarded to a business or sponsor who has consistently supported the arts through support, patronage, collaboration and encouragement.
- Stephane Fabre
- Nicola McGilvray
- Jordan Cossill
- Craigs Design N Print
- Brent Knight, McCullochs Architects
The Hits Production excellence:
Awarded to an individual who displays excellent dedication and skills in helping bring an artistic endeavour to the public behind the scenes, for example ; producers, production secretaries, arts administrators, stage managers, set and lighting designers and curators.
- Tony Parish
- Jersey Rhein
- Deow
- Chris Herman
- Brian Pay
- Dwayne Carey
Sono Sound Lifetime Achievement:
Awarded to a person or group who has consistently shared their time, energy, knowledge and skill for the betterment of the Arts in Murihiku.
- Darren Ludlow
- Maxine Treweek
- Phil Geary
- Sue Donkin
- Steve Gooding
- Angela Newell
Leadership in the Arts:
Awarded to an individual who has voluntarily steered groups or individuals to success and has inspired and empowered those around them through leadership, management or administration.
- Tania Carron
- Deow Owen
- Trinity Waddell
- Michelle Lange
- Ingrid Campbell
- Angela Newell
Southland Arts Society Leadership in Arts Education:
Awarded to an individual, group or institution who displays passionate, innovative and accessible education in the arts.
- Reanda Gerber
- Sarah Rae
- Out of School Music
- Bella Williams
- Katherine Buess
- Lyn Grove
Emerging talent:
Awarded to an individual Year 9-13 who displays great talent and skill in their field and who is working towards a future in the arts.
- Lachie McGregor
- Lara Kerr
- Olivia Scarlett
- Neve Rigg-Rissman
ELM Marketing Creative Excellence Award:
Awarded to a person or group who has shown skill, creativity, innovation and mastery in their field.
- Amber Timpany
- Brian Johnston
- Tahla Ward
- Ron Mitchell
- Majestic Frog
Community Trust South Community Catalyst Award:
Awarded to a person or group that has made significant contributions to fostering a sense of community and connection within the Murihiku arts scene.
- Steph Mac
- Miharo
- Rewoven Therapy
- Team at IPAG/He Waka Tuia
- Southern District Arts Trust
- Out of School Music
He tohu kia mau ki nga taonga tuku iho:
Awarded to a group or individual who is independently pursuing the reclamation, preservation and celebration of te ao Māori in their practise. Awarded to those who hold onto, maintain and develop those treasures and knowledge handed down from our ancestors.
- Danielle Tipuna
- Miharo
- Tonihi Whanau & Ngā Herenga Waka Kapa Haka
- He Wai Apakura – Te Ara Pounamu (The River’s Lament – A Pathway of Treasures)
Supreme:
Awarded to an individual or group who has exemplified the kaupapa of Arts Muirihiku and these awards in the period from July 2024 until April 2026. A practitioner, group or producer who has pushed boundaries, inspired others, and made a lasting impression on the Murihiku artistic landscape. The winner embodies excellence, creativity, and significant impact and will be chosen by the judges from the pool of finalists.
- Lifetime Achievement:
Awarded to a person or group who has consistently shared their time, energy, knowledge and skill for the betterment of the Arts in Murihiku.
- Leadership in the Arts:
Awarded to an individual who has voluntarily steered groups or individuals to success and has inspired and empowered those around them through leadership, management or administration.
- Leadership in Arts Education:
Awarded to an individual, group or institution who displays passionate, innovative and accessible education in the arts.
- Emerging talent:
Awarded to an individual Year 9-13 who displays great talent and skill in their field and who is working towards a future in the arts.
- Production excellence:
Awarded to an individual who displays excellent dedication and skills in helping bring an artistic endeavour to the public behind the scenes, for example ; producers, production secretaries, arts administrators, stage managers, set and lighting designers and curators.
- He tohu kia mau ki nga taonga tuku iho:
Awarded to a group or individual who is independently pursuing the reclamation, preservation and celebration of te ao Māori in their practise. Awarded to those who hold onto, maintain and develop those treasures and knowledge handed down from our ancestors.
- Patronage award:
Awarded to a business or sponsor who has consistently supported the arts through support, patronage, collaboration and encouragement.
- Creative Excellence Award:
Awarded to a person or group who has shown skill, creativity, innovation and mastery in their field.
- Community Catalyst:
Awarded to an person or group that has made significant contributions to fostering a sense of community and connection within the Murihiku arts scene.
Supreme:
Awarded to an individual or group who has exemplified the kaupapa of Arts Muirihiku and these awards in the period from July 2024 until April 2026. A practitioner, group or producer who has pushed boundaries, inspired others, and made a lasting impression on the Murihiku artistic landscape. The winner embodies excellence, creativity, and significant impact and will be chosen by the judges from the pool of finalists.
SCAA Judges 2026
Sara Litchfield is a writer, editor, and photographer based in Te Anau. She holds a Master’s in Creative Writing from the University of Cambridge, where her work focused on eco-literature and nature writing. Her writing has been shortlisted for both the Sargeson Prize and the Oxford Flash Fiction Prize, and has appeared in publications including Newsroom, 1964, Flash Frontier, and The Cambridge Review of Books.
Alongside her own creative practice, Sara is actively involved in supporting and developing literary arts in the south. She is Secretary of the Otago Southland Branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors and a founding member of the Fiordland Creative Writing Collective.
Living and working in Murihiku, Sara draws inspiration from the landscapes and stories of Fiordland. Her work spans journalism, creative non-fiction, fiction, poetry, and photography, reflecting a strong interest in place, people, and the natural environment.
As a judge for the Southland Creative Arts Awards, Sara brings expertise in writing, editing, storytelling, publishing, and creative development, together with a strong commitment to fostering literary arts in the region.
Rob Cloughley holds a Master of Fine Arts and is a Senior Lecturer at the Dunedin School of Art, where he leads the Ceramic Studio and coordinates the New Zealand Diploma in Art and Design (Ceramics), a specialist distance programme with students throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
His creative practice spans both ceramic sculpture and functional ceramics, often incorporating sound, installation, performance, and collaboration. Alongside his visual arts practice, Rob is an accomplished musician who has played fiddle and saxophone in a wide range of bands and musical traditions over many decades.
Rob has strong family connections to Southland. His father’s family lived in Gore from the 1870s and later in Riverton, where music was an integral part of family life. His great-grandfather composed many tunes that the family still plays today.
Alongside his teaching and creative practice, Rob and his partner established Bertha Gallery and Art Space in Port Chalmers, a contemporary gallery and creative hub that hosts regular exhibitions and workshops.
As a judge for the Southland Creative Arts Awards, Rob brings extensive experience as a practising artist, educator, musician, and supporter of contemporary arts practice, together with a longstanding connection to Murihiku Southland.
Deborah Wai Kapohe (Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Ngāti Rua (Te Whakatōhea) and Ngāti Kahungunu) is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading vocal performers. Born in Southland, she has built an acclaimed career spanning opera, musical theatre, contemporary Māori music, concerts, festivals, recitals, and special events throughout New Zealand and internationally.
A versatile performer, Deborah has appeared with leading opera companies and arts organisations while also developing her own work as a singer, guitarist, and creative artist. Her performances have taken her throughout Australia, the United Kingdom, the Asia Pacific region, and South Africa. She is currently an Artist in Residence at The Piano in Christchurch.
Deborah’s broad artistic experience is supported by advanced qualifications in music, performance, arts administration, law, and classical guitar. Her work reflects a deep commitment to artistic excellence, cultural expression, and lifelong learning.
As a judge for the Southland Creative Arts Awards, Deborah brings a wealth of experience across performance, interpretation, creativity, and artistic achievement, together with her enduring connection to Murihiku Southland.
Red Carpet moments..
