Expressions of interest are sought by Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, from artists, craftspeople and makers (and/or retailers of original arts and crafts) interested in leasing space in our suite of studios.
An initial suite of studios opened in The Arts Centre’s former Engineering building in March 2025, alongside The Arts Centre Shop. The studios have been a great success and are now expanding to include a new pod of three larger, premium studios. Set to be available from Q4 2026, expressions of interest are invited for these studios.
About Us
Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre is a charitable trust established by Act of Parliament to manage and maintain 23 heritage buildings and their grounds, and to use those heritage buildings to foster, promote and facilitate interest and involvement in the arts, culture, creativity and education. It is home to more than 70 artistic and creative organisations including art galleries, a museum, three permanent exhibitions, independent retailers, food and hospitality outlets, an award-winning cinema, a five-star hotel, and much more.
Premises
The new studios sit at the heart of The Arts Centre’s campus, in a key location for linking the east and west portions of the site. On the ground floor, the studios will be a key component in a mixed-use space that also incorporates the existing artists’ studios, an extension of The Arts Centre Shop, and a new café or similar food outlet. Above the new pod of studios sits a mezzanine level which could become a mixed-use space for creative workshops, art tuition, private hires and more. The total floor area of the premises including mezzanine is approximately 354 square metres.
Tenancies
Studio Floor Space Rent/annum Common Area Rent / annum OPEX/annum Total/annum
Studio 5 17.0 sqm $5,100 $259 $3,060 $8,419
Studio 6 17.0 sqm $5,100 $259 $3,060 $8,419
Studio 7 24.2 sqm $7,260 $376 $4,356 $11,992
Studios are available on a rolling basis, with exit terms of one to three months to be negotiated with prospective tenants. The amounts given above for rent are The Arts Centre’s minimum expectation; rent will be subject to an annual market review. Figures given for Operating Expenses (OPEX) are indicative only; OPEX is charged on an actual-costs basis and includes heating, electricity, security, maintenance, etc.
Studios are provided in a ‘warm shell’ condition, i.e. amenities for heating, electricity, lighting and security are provided, but furniture and equipment are the tenant’s responsibility. Rent includes access to a communal kitchenette with paint-disposal sink, showers and toilets.
Public Access
The studios provide workspace and/or retail space for artists, and public activation of The Arts Centre. Each studio is fitted with a glass sliding door through which members of the public are able to observe artists at work. Artists wishing to submit an expression of interest must be comfortable with this and recognise the opportunity that it presents to reach new audiences and patrons. The studios are situated within a retail environment, so artists must be willing and able to make direct sales to customers from their studio.
The studios will be open to the public between 10am and 4pm, seven days per week. Preference will be given to those that can be open for the most hours. Expressions of interest from two or more parties looking to share a space will be considered in order to achieve this.
Arts Practice
Artists wishing to submit an expression of interest must be able to demonstrate that their arts practice will suit the environment and will be engaging for the public. Work must also be of a scale suited to the size of the respective studios. Examples of arts practices that will be considered include, but are not limited to:
· Painting
· Drawing
· Small scale sculpture or maquettes
· Ceramics (note that firing of ceramics must be completed offsite)
· Jewellery
· Fabric art
Artists currently housed in the existing studios include painters, ceramicists and fabric artists.
Health and Safety is a key consideration – artists must demonstrate that their practice will be safe, both for themselves and the viewing public. It must also respect the heritage nature of The Arts Centre. Works that may be dangerous to people or property, e.g. hot works, must be effectively controlled to reduce risk.
Arts Centre Shop
Opportunities may be available for tenant artists to sell their work through the neighbouring Arts Centre Shop, or for art retailers to agree a partnership with The Arts Centre Shop. Conditions to be negotiated separately.
Submissions
Expressions of interest must be received no later than Friday 27 March 2026. They must include:
· Name and contact details of the artist(s).
· A statement outlining how the artist(s) will achieve the above requirements (limit of one A4 page).
· Photographic examples of the artist’s works.
· A list of exhibitions or publications in which the artist’s work has appeared, and any commissions for public works that the artist(s) have achieved.
· Contact details for one (ideally two) referees who can confirm the artist’s suitability as a tenant.
· An indication of which studio the artist(s) wish to rent, or order of preference if the artist(s) may consider any of the studios.
· Any tenant fit-out / alterations to the space proposed by the artist (which will be at their own expense).
Expressions of interest should be sent to:
Daniel Stirland
Operations Manager Kaihautū Whakahaere
The Arts Centre of Christchurch
daniels@artscentre.org.nz