The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi 2026 Springboard Recipients Announced: Supporting 16 Exciting Artists

The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi proudly announces the 2026 Springboard recipients – 16 early-career artists with outstanding potential, ready to take the next step in their creative careers through the support of this transformative programme. These awards are made possible by generous donors and principal partner Hummingbird Coffee, who believe in the power of investing in the next generation of creative talent.

Now in its seventh year, Springboard provides each recipient with a $15,000 gift, alongside a year-long mentorship with an established artist from the Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi alumni or wider arts community. Mentors receive a $5,000 koha in recognition of their guidance.

This year marks a significant expansion. Thanks to the success of the Supernova mega crowdfunding campaign on Boosted, The Arts Foundation’s crowdfunding platform, which saw 268 donors and five match givers come together to raise $250,000 in just one month – 16 Springboard Awards are being offered, 10 more than usual.

“Springboard meets artists at a pivotal moment in their career. It’s more than funding – it’s a catalyst. It provides mentorship, momentum, a platform for growth. We recognise 16 promising creatives. It’s our hope that these Springboard Awards strengthen and shape the next generation of artists in Aotearoa.” – Anne Noble and Tanea Heke, Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Arts Trustees

2026 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Springboard duos:

A.J Manaaki Hope (Visual Arts) mentored by 2021 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Brett Graham Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award for Visual Arts gifted by the Kate Gray Memorial Trust

Erika Holm (Sculpture) mentored by 2005 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Ronnie van Hout Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award for Visual Arts gifted by Dr Fiona Pardington & Starkwhite

Flora Feltham (Literature) mentored by 2011 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Emily Perkins Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award gifted by Joy Shivas

Isabella Loudon (Visual Arts) mentored by 2016 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Peter Robinson Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award for Visual Arts gifted by the Edgar Family Foundation

Isla Huia (Literature) mentored by 2025 Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellow Selina Tusitala Marsh Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award gifted by Supernova Boosted Donors

Isla Macleod (Director – Mixed Medium) mentored by 2025 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Roseanne Liang

Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award gifted by Supernova Boosted Donors

Jaime Jenkins (Sculpture) mentored by 2025 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Kate Newby Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award Gifted by Wendell Property

Jess Chambers (Music) mentored by 2001 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Dame Gaylene Preston Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award for Music gifted by Ensemble Ltd

Lyncia Muller (Dance) mentored by 2019 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Sima Urale Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award for Dance gifted by Julian & Lizanne Knights

Mia Maramara (Film) mentored by Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings

Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award for Film gifted by Jamie & Ann Selkirk

Scarlett Robinson-Kean (Illustration) mentored by 2023 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Giselle Clarkson

Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award gifted by Joy Shivas

Sean Dioneda Rivera (Theatre) mentored by Sophie Roberts

Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award gifted by Supernova Boosted Donors

Sefa Tunupopo (Dance) mentored by 2011 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Lemi Ponifasio Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award for Dance gifted by Marko & Jen Bogoievski

Steven Junil Park mentored by 2014 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Lisa Reihana Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award for an Ōtautahi Christchurch Artist gifted by Hummingbird Coffee

Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana (Theatre) mentored by 2024 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Miriama McDowell

Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award gifted by Supernova Boosted Donors

Tony Guo mentored by 2025 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Séraphine Pick Receiving the 2026 Springboard Award for Visual Arts gifted by the Edgar Family Foundation

Selection Panel Statements:

A.J Manaaki Hope: “A.J (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu; Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa, Ngāti Te to language and whakapapa, and he has shown a strong commitment to professional growth through exhibiting, formal learning, personal haerenga and community building. His recent exhibition Daffodils for Taua featured sophisticated unstretched paintings with whakairo and cast sculptural elements that playfully hung in space.” – Springboard Selection Panel

Erika Holm: “Erika works predominantly in sculpture, exploring references to the body. She takes a deep dive into historical sculptural legacies which, combined with an exquisitely skilled manipulation of materials, result in uncanny, vulnerable and moving works. This Springboard Award recognises extraordinary works to date, including Apology (2025) featured in Echo.” – Springboard Selection Panel

Flora Feltham: “Flora’s Bad Archive was a dream debut, a book of essays at once personal and eccentric, that let readers in on the behind-scenes working life of a young archivist who finds a dried flower pressed between the pages of a nineteenth century diary. Feltham is a deft writer with true range, able to ‘keep the scraps of the past from the bin of today.’ Feltham is an author to watch.” – Springboard Selection Panel

Isla Huia: “Isla (Te Āti Haunui a-Pāpārangi, Uenuku) is a rare talent – a poet, musician and te reo Māori teacher who is a captivating live performer of her work. Her mesmerising poetry debut Talia is a tribute and tohu to her friend – artist Natalia Saegusa – who passed away tragically young. Huia’s voice on the page is dexterous, authoritative, funny, wise, and winding. Her poems always convince. Huia has enormous potential; this is just the beginning.” – Springboard Selection Panel

Isla Macleod: “Isla has been turning heads as an emerging theatre director. With a background in film and television, Isla has quickly developed a strong and self-determined voice. Dedicated and insightful, approaching her craft with both an intellectual and somatic approach – Isla has the potential to have a significant and impacting career as a New Zealand director.” – Springboard Selection Panel

Jamie Jenkins: “Over recent years, Jaime has established a strong presence as an innovative ceramicist. Her hand-built stoneware traverses the boundary between studio ceramics and sculptural traditions, balancing both histories and carrying these forward into contemporary moments in a unique and distinctive way. This approach has earned recognition through significant awards and exhibitions.” – Springboard Selection Panel

Jess Chambers: “Jess’ Springboard Award recognises the exceptional quality of her work, the boldness of her sonic experimentation, and the exciting evolution of her practice as she shifts from the intimacy of songwriting into electronic music and film scoring. Jess’ artistry, and the musical skills underpinning it, show deep commitment to her craft and an assured trajectory for artistic development.” – Springboard Selection Panel

Lyncia Muller: “Through her commanding performance presence and innovative artistry, Lyncia fuses together contemporary dance, her Tongan heritage and the dynamic ballroom scene. She is paving a unique way for herself and other Pasifika women to follow in her footsteps.” – Springboard Selection Panel

Mia Maramara: “Mia is a promising writer, director and producer with a growing track record in genre-based filmmaking. She demonstrates keen storytelling instincts, and has a collaborative approach that elevates her work and the projects she undertakes.” – Springboard Selection Panel

Scarlett Robinson-Kean: “Scarlett is an illustrator who recently graduated with a Masters in Creative Practice from Unitec. Her Master’s work, a 240pp graphic novel ‘To Seed, To Sprout, To Seed’ won a bronze at the 2025 Best Design Awards for Student and Academic Graphics. Scarlett has been awarded this Springboard for her exemplary illustration mahi to date, and in recognition of her contribution to mentoring and supporting peers in the illustration and zine space.” – Springboard Selection Panel

Sean Dioneda Rivera: “Sean is a prolific theatre maker, performer, and director. His deep levels of curiosity, imagination and creative agility have contributed to some memorable moments on stage. Sean pursues meaningful art, uplifting diverse voices and perspectives, and creating electric performances. A Springboard Award provides a perfect space for his curiosity and craft to be nurtured and propel him into new areas of discovery.” – Springboard Selection Panel

Sefa Tunupopo: “A young dance artist who has founded an organisation in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington that assists youth with dance and movement abilities, Sefa Tunupopo is a force that lingers in one’s memory. A dynamic performer and choreographer, Sefa fuses his love and knowledge of contemporary dance, hip hop, breakdance and Pasifika styles into a unique artistic voice.” – Springboard Selection Panel

Steven Junil Park : “Steven is an Ōtautahi Christchurch-based artist and designer. Under the name 6x4 he produces functional objects with a focus on one-off garments, shoes, jewellery and furniture. His recent installations and performance- engaged projects include exhibitions at Season and The Dowse Art Museum. The work embraced weaving, scent-making, hand-carved wooden components and more.” – Springboard Selection Panel

Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana: “Te Huamanuka’s (Ngāti Hikairo) work is powered by a passion for story-telling, music, te reo Māori and rangatahi perspectives in a contemporary world. Her writing is sharp with authenticity and humour and the Springboard Award will supercharge her kaupapa to share truthful stories told with waiata, culture and heart.” – Springboard Selection Panel

Tony Guo: “Tony graduated with a Master of Visual Arts from University of Auckland, with First Class Honours. His work weaves together figurative traditions, surrealism, and queer storytelling. Blending art history with personal identity and fantasy, his paintings are compelling and complex. The Springboard Award recognises an emerging artist gaining attention for his distinctive painterly voice and the building momentum of his practice.” – Springboard Selection Panel

To be considered for the Springboard programme:

The artist must show potential to develop a sustainable career and practice in the arts. 

The award must have major impact on the artist to carry out working as an artist for a year.

  The artist could have developed a practice independent of any formal training institution. 

They will show potential to develop their careers either as independent artists or within a creative 

The artist needs to show commitment and intent for a career.

There are some awards that have specific criteria:

The Springboard Award for Dance gifted by Jennifer and Marko Bogoievski

The Springboard Award for Visual Arts gifted by The Edgar Family

The Springboard Award for Visual Arts gifted by Dr Fiona Pardington and Starkwhite 

The Springboard Award for Film gifted by Jamie and Ann Selkirk

The Springboard Award for an Ōtautahi Christchurch Artist

The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi called for Springboard nominations in November 2025, and an independent selection panel gathered late February 2026 to review the submissions received.

The selection panel guided by two Artist Trustees (non-voting) and facilitated by The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Kaiwhakahaere Director included:

• Heather Galbraith – Contemporary Art Curator, Writer, and Professor of Fine Arts, • College of Creative Arts, Massey University

• Lucy Hammonds – Curator, Dunedin Public Art Gallery • Taarati Taiaroa (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Apa) – Curator, Contemporary • Māori Art, Govett Brewster Gallery

• Taiaroa Royal (Te Arawa, Kai Tahu, Ngāti Raukawa) – 2023 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi • Laureate and Dancer, Director of Okareka Dance Company

• Gina Dellabarca – Show Me Shorts Film Festival Director

• Dr Dugal McKinnon – Composer, Sound Artist and Associate Professor, Composition, • Massey University

• Megan Dunn – Author, Art Critic, Essayist and 2022 Annual Writer in Residence at the • International Institute of Modern Letters, Victoria University Wellington.

• Dolina Wehipeihana (Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Raukawa) – Dancer, Choreographer, • Theatre Producer, and Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts Co-Director

Our Springboard Awards wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our community of arts backers:

Dr Fiona Pardington & Starkwhite, Ensemble Ltd, Hummingbird Coffee, Jamie & Ann Selkirk, Julian & Lizanne Knights, Joy Shivas, Marko & Jennifer Bogoievski, Edgar Family Foundation, Kate Gray Memorial Trust, Wendell Property, and the 268 Supernova donors around the nation.

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