Welcome to The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora.
Dating back to 1877, The Arts Centre has a rich history and an exciting future.
Located in the heart of Ōtautahi Christchurch, The Arts Centre is an Aotearoa New Zealand landmark – home to galleries, museums, cinemas, boutique retailers, artisan eateries and bars, engaging events, stunning venues and much more.
Heritage Stargazing
Experience stargazing through the Townsend Teece Telescope in the Observatory Tower (1896) with astronomers from the University of Canterbury.
Find out moreFriends Fundraising Tour of the Engineering Buildings
Saturday 17 June North Quad
Join the Friends of the Arts Centre for a special guided 'behind the scenes' fundraising tour of two newly restored Engineering buildings.
Annual Public Meeting
Monday 12 June 2023 Rutherford’s Den
This meeting provides an opportunity for you and our stakeholders to hear about our key successes, challenges and financial performance in 2022.
Free
Matariki 2023
3 – 20 Hōngongoi July 2023 Arts Centre wide
Nau mai, haere mai, Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre invites you to celebrate Matariki 2023 with us.
Great Hall Lunchtime Concert Series 2023
Specific Mondays Great Hall
Your annual line-up of renowned local, national, and international musicians playing a curated selection of lunchtime concerts in the picturesque Great Hall.
Rising Stars Concert Series 2023
On specific Tuesdays Great Hall
Rising Stars is a new lunchtime concert series that focuses on encouraging, nurturing and providing a performance platform for emerging young musicians.
Kete Whānau: online activities for families
Enjoy these FREE online Arts Centre activities.
Resourceful skills workshops
Throughout the year Boys’ High
Social enterprise Rekindle creates opportunities for resourcefulness, or making what we need from what we have around us, through a variety of workshops.
Messing the Field: New works by Jamie Te Heuheu and Leigh Martin
18 May – 18 June 2023 Library
Colour field painting has a long rich history. Come and see how Jamie Te Heuheu and Leigh Martin very handsomely play the field.
Free
Heritage Stargazing
Every Friday night during Winter, 5 May - 22 Sep 2023 Observatory, Biology and Physics
Experience stargazing through the Townsend Teece Telescope in the Observatory Tower (1896) with astronomers from the University of Canterbury.
What's Here
New Zealand-made homewares and gifts.
Frances Nation is a store specialising in Aotearoa New Zealand-made homewares and gifts of quality craftsmanship, authenticity and longevity.