The first Artworks exhibition was in 2002, and up until 2008 the event took place  every year. The event has raised over $1.1 million dollars for charitable causes and has provided New Zealand artists with over $1.7 million of income. Staged at the Hilton Hotel on Auckland’s Princes Wharf, Artworks is managed by the Rotary Club of Ellerslie Sunrise Inc.

The profile and positioning of the Artworks brand has been carefully managed to honour the support of the sponsoring partners and contributing artists, and to exceed public expectations. Each of these goals has been met year-on-year with the result that Artworks has become an iconic event on the Auckland central city calendar.

Artworks will continue to celebrate the vision and creativity of New Zealand artists: in so doing so it will deliver tangible benefits to its artists, sponsors and patrons and contribute to the welfare of young people through financial support of its beneficiaries.