Welcome to Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre
Dating back to 1877, The Arts Centre is a thriving community with a rich history
Located in Ōtautahi Christchurch, The Arts Centre is run by an independent charitable trust and comprises the largest collection of heritage buildings in the country. It is home to over 70 entities including galleries, museums, cinemas, boutique retailers, artisan eateries and bars, accommodation, engaging events, stunning venues and much more.
The Physics Room: Blank Banquet
Blank Banquet is a new exhibition developed by Joel Cocks and Tarren Johnson, concerned with communication and thresholds of language.
Find out moreHolly Arrowsmith with special guests
Sunday 13 April 2025 Great Hall
After a sold out tour of New Zealand with her full band, multi award winning Songwriter Holly Arrowsmith returns to Ōtautahi for an intimate seated show in the historic Great Hall.
School Holiday Fun
12 - 27 April 2025 Arts Centre wide
Hop, skip or jump into The Arts Centre for fun-filled days of music, movies, arts, circus, dance and more.
Great Hall Lunchtime Concert Series 2025
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 Architect of Canterbury”: Benjamin Mountfort at 200
Thursday 13 March Great Hall
The architect, Benjamin Mountfort, was born 200 years ago on 13 March 1825. This illustrated lecture will examine the architect’s background and training, and discuss some of his best-known buildings.
Free
Dave Flynn Celtic Guitar Journey
Sunday 23 March, 2025 Great Hall
Dave Flynn is an award-winning Irish composer and musician, praised as ‘a masterful guitarist‘ in Sing Out! Magazine. His imaginative compositions, celebrated in the New York Times for their ‘power an
Nanny Assis and Maggie Gould
Monday 17 March, 2025 Great Hall
Maggie Gould's sultry vocals are an exciting musical match for the incredible award-winning Brazilian-American musician Nanny Assis (percussionist, guitarist, composer, producer, vocalist and more).
Heritage Stargazing
Every Friday night during Winter, 11 April - 26 September 2025 Observatory, Biology and Physics
Experience stargazing through the Townsend Teece Telescope in the Observatory Tower (1896) with astronomers from the University of Canterbury.
Arts Centre Guided Walking Tours
Wednesday to Sunday Clock Tower
Enjoy a 90-minute guided walking tour of The Arts Centre and discover the rich history of this heritage site.
Ghosts On Every Corner - by Ghostcat
Saturday 29 March - Wednesday 30 April 2025 First floor, Boys’ High
A collection of 13 iconic builds from Christchurch pre-earthquake, displayed for the general public alongside a book called Ghosts On Every Corner.
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.