The Friends sponsor prizes as a way of supporting the gallery and encouraging and inspiring the love of arts in the student community.
Artarama - a festival of South Canterbury student art
Artarama is a festival of South Canterbury student art and features a wonderland of art by students aged 5 to 18. Around $2,000 worth of prizes up for grabs which are sponsored by various community organisations. The Friends sponsor a $50 prize and give a free Friends membership to inspire students.
Polychrome - artworks from students at the Timaru Aoraki Polytechnic
The Polychrome art exhibition held at the Aigantighe Art Gallery every year, features artworks from students at the Timaru Aoraki Polytechnic. The exhibition is an opportunity for students and graduates to show off their creative wares from throughout the year. This year about 60 works from 50 students are featured with a variety of mediums ranging from water colour paintings to mixed media, dvd and video pieces. The Friends sponsor a $100 prize and include a Friends membership to recognise a key students potential as an artist.