Welcome to Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre.
Dating back to 1877, The Arts Centre is a thriving community asset with a rich history.
Located in Ōtautahi Christchurch, The Arts Centre is home to over 70 entities and the largest collection of heritage buildings in the country. It is run by an independent charitable trust. Christchurch City Council proposes to zero fund the centre from 1 July 2024. This decision will put the trust on a path to insolvency. Read more here
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 moreLaneways at Dusk
Every Thursday Engineering Laneway
Grab a bite from your favourite food truck and a drink at Altiora. Enjoy retro board games, good tunes, and great vibes!
Free
Heritage Stargazing from the Observatory Tower 2024
Every Friday night during Winter, 12 April - 27 September 2024 Observatory, Biology and Physics
Experience stargazing through the Townsend Teece Telescope in the Observatory Tower (1896) with astronomers from the University of Canterbury.
Katakata Club
Saturday 11 May 2024 The Gym
Katakata Club is the latest comedy night to hit Christchurch. Host Shay Horay presents New Zealand's most exciting comedy acts playing within the beautiful Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre.
Guided Walking Tours
Wednesdays - Sundays Clock Tower
Enjoy a 90-minute guided walking tour of The Arts Centre and discover the rich history of this heritage site.
Great Hall Lunchtime Concert Series 2024
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.
Holiday Trail — Āta titiro — What can you find?
Saturday 13 - Sunday 28 April 2024 Rutherford’s Den
Nature is all around us, sometimes in surprising places. What will you discover as you explore six of Ōtautahi Christchurch’s favourite places?
Free
Random Acts of Music
Thursday 25 April 2024 North Quad
Combine a set of beautiful accessible instruments, a skilled rhythm and lead section and curious bystanders, and wait for the explosive, surprising, completely improvised experience that follows.
Free
Holiday Fun Zone
Monday 15 April to Friday 26 April North Quad
Enjoy outdoor lawn games, play a tune on the community piano and lounge on the beanbags while socking up the heritage surroundings.
Free
Rutherford's Den Free Tour
Monday 15 April - Friday 26 April 2024 Rutherford’s Den
Take a free 20-minute guided tour of Rutherford's Den tailored for children. This exhibition tour explores the ideas of magnetism, sound and light waves as well as the Rutherford model of an atom.
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.