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Nau Mai, Haere Mai
Mā te pohewa mā te auaha hoki, ka whakapuaki ngā kura e huna ana. With imagination and creativity a hidden jewel can be revealed. Welcome to Toi Ōtautahi.

Nau Mai, Welcome to Toi Ōtautahi – The virtual arts office for Ōtautahi, Christchurch.

Toi Ōtautahi is a partnership project between Christchurch City Council, Creative NZ, Rātā Foundation, Mana Whenua, and Manatū Taonga Ministry of Culture and Heritage.

Christchurch has produced some of this country’s best known and most celebrated artists and artworks, and Ōtautahi continues to be a place where innovation and radical creativity flourishes. We are unapologetic supporters and champions for the significant role the city and its creatives have played, and continue to play in Aotearoa.

We want this site to celebrate all that is creative in the city and its wider environs and we want you to be part of it. Whether you’re a creative, an organisation, an audience member, a supporter or a visitor to this city, let us know what we can do to help make Ōtautahi the best city for creativity in Aotearoa.

Latest News
Exhibition

“NO LIMITS – the art of us”

This exhibition features works by talented students who attend classes at Art for Life Trust, a Christchurch based charitable organisation providing inclusive art classes for students with disabilities and other diverse needs.
Visual Arts
Events & Exhibitions
Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre’s 6th Annual Sculpture Festival
Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre proudly presents the 6th annual Sculpture Festival – a vibrant celebration of object…
Sculpture, Visual Arts
News
Studio and Salon Action at Toi Auaha
From affordable artist studios to free workshops, central-city community arts hub Toi Auaha is a hotbed of creativity. As it…
Opportunities & Proposals
Rita Angus Cottage – Summer Residency
Enjoy Contemporary Art Space is calling for applications from artists for their 2026 Summer Residency programme, delivered in partnership with…
Visual Arts
Exhibition
Opening Friday at Objectspace Ōtautahi: Rendered Futures: Drawing Architecture
Rendered Futures brings together drawings by architects from across Aotearoa spanning five decades, articulating architectural drawing as a shape-shifting and sometimes radical…
News
Arts Advocacy Toolkit for Upcoming Civic Elections
Check out this Arts Advocacy Toolkit for artists and arts organisations for the upcoming civic elections from arts Advocacy Now:
Exhibition
Seeing Through – New Work by Robyn Webster
Robyn Webster is renowned for fusing materials, techniques and her site specific installations, see her new work at Chamber Gallery in…
Visual Arts
Calendar of Events
03.10 2025

Endless Fascination at Stoddart Cottage

2:00 PM
Endless Fascination, is brought together by Writer-Curator, Ben Curnow. The exhibition features works on paper by three women artists connected…
Stoddart Cottage, Diamond Harbour.
03.10 – 04.10 2025

Toi Toi Opera Presents: Riders to the Sea by Ralph Vaughan Williams

7:30 PM
Toi Toi Opera presents Ralph Vaughn Williams – ‘Riders to the Sea’
 The Philip Carter Family Concert Hall, The Piano
17.10 2025

Coal Miner’s Daughter – The Story of Loretta Lynn

7:30 PM
Coal Miner’s Daughter – The Story of Loretta Lynn. One night only at the Isaac Theatre Royal.
Isaac Theatre Royal
06.11 – 08.11 2025

Hagley Theatre School Presents: Faust on Trial

7:00 PM
Faust on Trial – a new play by Josiah Morgan, Jonty Coulson, and Stella Cheersmith with Pedro Ilgenfritz.
Te Wa – The Space, 74 Hawdon Street

SPOTLIGHT ON: Toi Auaha Studios and Salons

SPOTLIGHT ON: Toi Auaha Studios and Salons

From affordable artist studios to free workshops, central-city community arts hub Toi Auaha is a hotbed of creativity. As it opens its call for new residents and seeds its artists’ salons, the imagination nurtured here looks set to radiate even further.

As it approaches its third anniversary, Toi Auaha has put out a call for expressions of interest in its studios for 2026. If you are a practising artist or creative looking to hire an affordable private studio in the New Year, contact artsadvisors@ccc.govt.nz for further information and an application form. Individual studios start at $80 a week with cheaper options for artists sharing. There is also a studio currently available for temporary hire.

This month also sees the launch of Toi Auaha’s artists’ salons. These draw on the historic idea of the Salon: informal gatherings in a domestic space where the likes of art, literature and music were discussed. Hosted in Toi Auaha’s comfortable lounge, these are conceived as regular, inclusive, artist-led get-togethers. Creatives practising or interested in specific fields are invited to gather to kōrero, share ideas and projects; fostering conversation, connection and collaboration. Toi Auaha provides the welcoming venue, and the arts community are invited to bring the ideas.

Read more here.

Opportunities
Opportunities & Proposals

The Big Idea is Open for Submissions, and They Pay!

The Big Idea, is calling for pitches from new writers!
Courses and Classes
Creative Watercolours -WEA
Learn creative watercolouring techniques with Rebecca Smallridge
Visual Arts
Call for Proposals from Pacific Moana creatives
Fibre Gallery is excited to announce its annual Open Call for Proposals.
Opportunities & Proposals
Audition for Hagley Theatre School
Auditions for the 2026 intake at Hagley Theatre School will be held on November 1. Don’t miss out on being…
Theatre

SPOTLIGHT ON: What’s on in October

SPOTLIGHT ON: What’s on in October

Sooooo much happening in Ōtautahi in October – here are just a few things you need to check out!

Ōtautahi Prints is a community-focused printmaking event that highlights the diverse and dynamic print practices of artists from Christchurch and the wider South Island – 25 Oct at the Christchurch Art Gallery.

Free Theatre presents The Passionate Puritan at The Pumphouse 16-18 October.

The Christchurch Hip Hop Summit kicks off on 31 October.

Catch some bloodthirsty ballet with Dracula in a thrilling world premiere at the Isaac Theatre Royal on October 4.

Christchurch Art as Therapy Group creates a gentle space at the Christchurch Art Gallery where visitors can connect with the artworks on 8 October.

Alice Cinemas presents an unforgettable experience with Show Me Shorts Film Festival, where you can enjoy the world’s best short films on 9 October.

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