Te Matatiki Toi Ora: The Spring of Living Art

A showcase of 50 years of creativity


Thursday 23 October

Time

7.00PM – 9.00PM

Pricing

  • General Admission $25.00
  • Seniors, Students, Unwaged $20.00
  • Venue: Great Hall

    Join Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga for an evening celebrating 50 years of creativity at The Arts Centre. 

    A night of quickfire talks and live performances from the vibrant community of creatives who have been connected to this artistic hub over the years, including:

    • Singer-songwriter Holly Arrowsmith will perform
    • Contemporary Pacific performing arts collective Pacific Underground will also perform
    • Buskers David Ladderman and Lizzie Tollemache will dazzle and amaze!
    • Stewart Ross will talk about the early days of The Court Theatre
    • Nick Paris will reminisce about movies at The Arts Centre over the years 
    • Jamie Hanton will recount his time at contemporary arts space The Physics Room
    • Dr Jo Burzynska - a former artist-in-residence and multisensory expert will talk about her practice

    Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre is built above a spring which has been a source of water and life to the surrounding area and people for centuries. In te ao Māori, matatiki/springs are bearers of knowledge and wellbeing. It is appropriate that this place has become a place of culture, art and learning.

    Illustration: Korihi te manu (for Reuben) by Megan Brady, details from The Arts Centre mural.

     

    This event is part of Christchurch Heritage Festival 2025 which runs from October 11 -27.

    Location map

    Great Hall,
    Worcester Boulevard

    Market Square Hereford St Carpark Boys' High Entrance Engineering Laneway The Observatory Hotel Courtyard South Quad North Quad Registry Student Union The Gym Engineering Cloisters Studio Common Room Library Biology, Observatory and Physics Chemistry School of Art West Lecture Classics Rutherford's Den Clock Tower Boy's High Workshop Great Hall
  • Other Events You Might Like
  • Observatory Tower and Exhibition Tours

    Sunday 12, 19 and 26 October 2025 Observatory, Biology and Physics

    Join a guided tour of the Observatory Tower and hear the stories of how it was used from 1896 to today


    Big Bands Play at The Arts Centre

    Sunday 26 October North Quad

    The All Girl Big Band and Sideline Swing will take you right back to the Christchurch Commonwealth Games era as they play music hits from the 70s.

    Free

    The History and Restoration of the 1864 Townsend Teece Telescope

    16 October 2025 Observatory, Biology and Physics

    Associate Professor Karen Pollard from the University of Canterbury will give a fascinating illustrated talk on the amazing history and restoration of the 1864 Townsend Teece Telescope.

    Free

    Observatory Tower and Exhibition Tours

    Sunday 12, 19 and 26 October 2025 Observatory, Biology and Physics

    Join a guided tour of the Observatory Tower and hear the stories of how it was used from 1896 to today


    Big Bands Play at The Arts Centre

    Sunday 26 October North Quad

    The All Girl Big Band and Sideline Swing will take you right back to the Christchurch Commonwealth Games era as they play music hits from the 70s.

    Free

    The History and Restoration of the 1864 Townsend Teece Telescope

    16 October 2025 Observatory, Biology and Physics

    Associate Professor Karen Pollard from the University of Canterbury will give a fascinating illustrated talk on the amazing history and restoration of the 1864 Townsend Teece Telescope.

    Free