These FAQs provide artists with key information about participating in this year's Art Trail.
Each year, we receive many questions from artists, so we've compiled this guide to ensure everyone has easy access to the details they need.
Why are artist participation numbers limited this year?
Due to the event's popularity, the number of artists will be restricted. Artists and the Council have delivered such a great and popular event that limiting artist numbers is a result of the event's success.
Without limiting the number of participating artists, the cost of delivering the Art Trail increases. Examples of these cost increases are the printing and design of the Kāpiti Coast Art Trail Guide, expenditure on flags and signs, and increased resources needed to deliver the Art Trail. Feedback from visitors has started to indicate that there are too many artists and it is overwhelming!
How many spaces will be available for this year’s Art Trail?
Artist numbers will be restricted to approximately 140 registrations which is around how many artists participated in 2024. A certain number of spaces will be reserved for Exhibition Spaces and for new and emerging artists (i.e., an artist who has never participated in the Art Trail before as an Artist in Studio or Artist in Shared Space).
How will you manage the limiting of artist participation numbers?
If any of the spaces reserved for new artists and Exhibition Spaces are not filled, those spaces will be offered to the next Artist in Studio or artist in Shared Space on the list. The selection process for participation in the Art Trail will be based on a “first in, first served” basis, with suburb and medium taken into account to ensure a good spread across the district.
I am a new artist looking for a shared space, how do I join an existing one?
Generally, artists arrange who they will share with. However, for new artists, we can connect them with other experienced artists to share a space. If this is something you would like to do, when you register, do so as an Artist in Shared Space, and in the box asking, “Who will you be sharing with?” put TBC. Then, in the comments box, mention that you would like to be in a space with other artists, and we could connect you.
Why do you need to know the total value of what I sell, as a result of the Art Trail?
When the Council knows the total sales of participating artists, it can understand the economic impact of the Art Trail. We use this information to help evaluate the economic impact of the Art Trail and Council’s return on investment (ROI) in the Trail, as well as compare it to previous Art Trails. Individual artist's sales data is not used for any other purpose than evaluating the economic impact of the Trail. The information is stored securely. An artist can ask to see and correct the information we hold about them.
Is the Kāpiti Half Marathon running event on the same weekend as the Art Trail this year?
Yes, the Kāpiti Half Running Event is confirmed for Sunday 9th November 2025. This has a crossover with the second weekend of the Art Trail. There is a short window in the morning of the last Sunday where the two events cross-over in Paraparaumu Beach. As in previous years, we will be working with the Council consenting team and the Kāpiti Half Marathon Running Event team to ensure as little disruption to the potentially impacted artists in the area, while still maximising the success of both events.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Art Trail Team at [email protected].
