The James Wallace Arts Trust

In the mid 1960’s James Wallace has began collecting New Zealand art, particularly that of emergent artists. In 1992 he transferred his Collection to the newly formed Charitable Trust and proceeded to fund the trust so that it could continue to add to the Collection and support the arts in New Zealand in general. Nothing is ever sold so the body of works numbering something over 4,000 remains in its entirety as a cultural resource for present and future generations.

In recent years greater public access has been given to the collection by making bodies of works available to many institutions ranging from universities and science research establishments on a permanent revolving loan basis. 17 years ago James Wallace established the Annual Wallace Arts Awards. These awards are now the longest and surviving and richest annual art awards of their kind in Australasia, amounting to over $85,000.