Rotorua musician Rob Ruha has been named as one of five recipients of the coveted 2017 Laureate Award.
Described as a ‘Haka Soul Musician’ Ruha is among the 11 extraordinary New Zealand artists to become 2017 New Zealand Arts Award recipients, chosen from the fields of classical music, popular music, film, theatre, contemporary dance, poetry, photography and illustration.
Fellow awardee Jemaine Clement also has a musical connection, with ‘Multi-Instrumentalist’ listed alongside his other talents as ‘Actor, Writer, Comedian.’
The 11 artists will be celebrated at the New Zealand Arts Awards being held at the Waterfront Theatre in Auckland on Monday, November 6.
The Laureate Award is an investment in excellence across a range of art forms for an artist with prominence and outstanding potential for future growth.
Each Laureate Award includes a gift of $50,000. They will join a family of 191 artists who have received a total of over $6million from the Arts Foundation, thanks to the support of some of the country’s most generous arts patrons.
Rob Ruha – Haka Soul Musician
Jemaine Clement – Actor, Writer, Comedian, Multi-Instrumentalist
Ross McCormack – Choreographer, Contemporary Dancer
Robin White – Painter, Print Maker
Niki Caro – Director, Filmmaker
