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.
School Holiday Fun
This school holidays, Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre will be bursting with creative activities to inspire, enthuse and spark the imagination of pre-schoolers right through to teens.
Find out moreSculpture Festival 2023
14 – 29 October 2023 Great Hall
Sculptural pieces by some of the country’s best artists in ceramics, jewellery, sculpture, glass and multimedia, on show and on sale.
Free
Christchurch Heritage Festival 2023 at The Arts Centre
Friday 6 October - Monday 23 October (Labour Day) 2023 Arts Centre wide
Join us in exploring the heritage of Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre over the Christchurch Heritage Festival 2023.
Ahi Kōmau; the Everlasting Fire
8 September- 1 October 2023 Common Room
Ahi Kōmau; the everlasting fire. A huika of Toi Māori for the opening of Te Whare Tapere at Te Matatiki Toi Ora the Arts Centre.
Free
Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups
Sunday 15 October, 12 November & 10 December 2023 Engineering
The cosiest nights of the year. Snuggle up with a hot chocolate as Lizzie Tollemache's smoke and honey voice tells you folktales by candlelight.
A "Walk Back in Time" around Canterbury College
Sat 7 Oct | Thu 12 Oct | Sat 14 Oct | Sun 15 Oct | Tue 17 Oct | Sun 22 Oct | Mon 23 Oct Clock Tower
Join in an informative and fact-filled guided walking tour around The Arts Centre site, where your knowledgeable WALK Christchurch tour guide will thrill you with stories from the past.
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.
The Silversmiths' Guild Annual Jewellery Exhibition & Sale
Tuesday 31 October - Sunday 12 November 2023 First floor, Boys’ High
The Silversmiths' Guild of Canterbury Inc was formed in 1982 by a group of enthusiasts with a common interest in working with precious and semi-precious metals.
Free
Creative activities with The White Room Creative Space
Fri 6 Oct | Sat 7 Oct | Mon 16 Oct | Tue 17 Oct | Fri 20 Oct School of Art
A range of FREE hands-on creative activities for all ages, including frottage (rubbing interesting textures), life drawing and using the unique perspex "drawing window" to create a cool artwork.
Free
Practical Heritage panel discussion
16 October 2023 Cloisters Studio
Join a panel of experts in heritage restoration for a discussion on how The Arts Centre has been seismically strengthened and adapted during its restoration.
Free
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.