Salon des Refusés

Friends of Rotorua Museum are delighted to host a Salon des Refusés exhibition in conjunction with the Rotorua Museum Art Awards 2026.

All works not selected for the finalist exhibition are given the opportunity to be displayed in the Salon des Refusés exhibition, on show at the hosted at the Lockwood Show Homes Village (43 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua) from 5 February until 1 March 2026, open daily between 10am – 4pm.

Salon des Refusés is a French term for an exhibition of works not selected, and originates back in 1863 when works by now-famous artists like Manet, Whistler, Pissarro and Jongkind were not selected for the annual Paris Salon. The Salon des Refusés enables Rotorua Museum to showcase even more of the region’s artistic talent, and gives all the entered artists the opportunity to profile and sell their work.

For the first time ever there will be a People’s Choice vote for artworks in the Salon des Refusés. Sponsored by Lockwood Buildings, the artwork with the most votes at the end of the exhibition will receive $1,000 for the artist.

The Rotorua Museum Art Awards 2026 Finalist Exhibition will be on display at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre, will be open daily between 10am – 4pm from 5 February until 1 March 2026.

Entry to both exhibitions is free with all artworks for sale throughout the exhibition period. Proceeds from the sale of the Rotorua Museum Art Awards artworks will support the exhibition development project for the re-opening of Rotorua Museum.

The Rotorua Museum Art Awards is brought to you by Rotorua Museum, in association with Friends of Rotorua Museum. This prestigious competition is sponsored by Lockwood Buildings, Watts & Hughes, Coombes Johnston BMW and Rotorua Trust.

For further information please contact Rotorua Museum, phone 07 350 1814 or email [email protected]