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.
First salon confirmed is The Auricle Listening Lounge, every second Thursday starting 13 November, 6.30–8.30pm. Anyone interested in sonic art, experimental or unconventional music is welcome to attend. Attendees are invited to bring recorded excerpts of projects or any music that’s they’ve been finding exciting, with both focused listening and informal conversations unfolding to this shared soundtrack. Plans are also afoot for film soirées at which films are watched and then discussed.
If you have an idea for a salon – be it a one-off or regular gathering – get in touch with Toi Auaha via artsadvisors@ccc.govt.nz. Your salon could be visual art-themed, literature-focused, an arts reading group: any area that invites connection and discussion relevant to the creative community. You or your group propose and host your salon; and Toi Auaha provides the lounge and promotion through Toi Auaha and Toi Ōtautahi to help gather participants and momentum.
Look out for a new dedicated Toi Auaha page on the Toi Ōtautahi website launching soon. This will be the place to find out everything that’s going on at Toi Auaha and how to make your own event happen there.
Beyond these salons, Toi Auaha’s lounge and kitchen is available for artists and creative individuals and groups to hire for meetings and gatherings at very reasonable rates via artsadvisors@ccc.govt.nz