Creative Residences

The Creative Residences is

1. a place where creatives can stay and create work 
2. an AirBNB location for the public to enjoy during the months of December to March, and
3. a hub for creative people and organisations to stay and make connections with the creative community in Ōtautahi Christchurch

Contemporary comfort meets exquisite history in this beautiful heritage space. Located upstairs in the West Lecture building (1917), the creative residences are a place where you can enjoy all The Arts Centre and central Christchurch has to offer.

There are four large, beautifully appointed double bedrooms with private bathrooms. The modern living, dining and kitchen spaces with an additional study nook and a balcony are shared and the accommodation is wheelchair accessible.

Click here to see a 3D Virtual Tour of this space. 

Creative Residency programmes

The Creative Residency programme fosters creative, intellectual and professional growth for creative people with big ideas who want to develop them. The programme supports development of new projects, a forum for dialogue and opportunities for people to engage with new ideas, experiences and each other.

The Creative Residency programme is not being offered in 2025 due to a lack of funding. 

We are keen to hear from individuals and organisations wishing to financially support or partner in the Creative Residency programmes in order to offer the programme in the future. Please contact us by email.

Self-funded residency

We are interested to hear from any artists (and potentially their partners) who might be interested in taking up an opportunity to stay at the Creative Residency apartment for periods of 2 – 10 weeks (pending availability).  

We request a koha to cover the costs of cleaning and linen servicing, and supply of power and Wi-Fi. We are not able to provide a stipend or a fee for self-funded residencies. In exchange for your stay, there is the opportunity to offer a public programme during or at the end of the stay, such as an artist talk, workshop, exhibition, gig etc. and connect with creative communities in Ōtautahi, Christchurch.

Please email creativeresidences@artscentre.org.nz if you would like to discuss more the opportunity for a self-funded residency.

Airbnb in the Creative Residence

For most of the year the Creative Residence is home to an array of talented travelling artists and academics.

But you have the rare opportunity to experience it yourself! For more information, click here.

A hub for creatives

As a hub for creatives or creative organisations visiting the city, the costs are $200 per night (minimum of 2 nights) plus GST with different rates for longer stays. Check-in is generally between 2.00pm and 6.00pm. Check-out is by 10.00am. Luggage storage may also be arranged.

For enquires, please click here.  

History

The residencies were relaunched in 2019 with critically acclaimed Kiwi songwriter, musician, vocalist and producer Bic Runga who completed a two-part residency including a songwriting workshops and a concert in the Great Hall.

Prior to the earthquakes a Creative Residencies programme had been thriving at The Arts Centre for more than 10 years. There were two artist-in-residence apartments, one of which was for the Olivia Spencer Bower Award winner and the other for shorter residencies.

Residents included a broad range of local, regional, national and international artists such as Michel Tuffery (visual arts), Raewyn Hill (dance), Michael Brennand-Wood from the United Kingdom (visual arts), Mahinarangi Tocker (music), Lauren Lysart (visual arts), Zoe Roland (film), Tim Main (object art), Charlotte Yates (music), Amy X Neuburg from the United States of America (music) and Areta Wilkinson (visual arts/jewellery).