Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre's Creative Residency is a hub for creative people to stay, make connections and be inspired at The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora. Contemporary comfort meets exquisite history in this beautifully appointed heritage space. Located upstairs in the recently restored and earthquake strengthened West Lecture building (1917), the residences are a place where creatives can enjoy all The Arts Centre and central Christchurch has to offer.
Creative Residences
Unique accommodation in the heart of the city
The Creative Residences is
- a place where creatives stay and create work through the Creative Residency Programme
- an AirBNB location for the public to enjoy during the months of December to March, and
- 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.
Expressions of interest for the Creative Residency programme for 2024 are closed. For more information about the residency programme and to express your interest in future programmes, please email us.
We are keen to hear from individuals and organisations wishing to financially support or partner in the Creative Residency programmes. Please contact us by email.
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).
