Filming & photography

The Arts Centre is a private site operated by The Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust, an independent charitable trust for the people of Canterbury and visitors that receives no ongoing funding from central or local government. All our income is generated through private sources in order to restore and maintain this heritage site for the public to enjoy, to deliver our wide-ranging events programme and to create learning and engagement opportunities for people of all ages. We also need to protect the commercial use of images of The Arts Centre.

Visitor filming & photography

We want all our visitors to enjoy their time at The Arts Centre and taking and sharing photos of our beautiful location for personal use is part of that experience.

If strictly for personal use only (ie. not sold or shared for profit or promotion), you may film and photograph all public spaces of The Arts Centre. In filming and taking photographs, please be considerate of other visitors. If you are obstructing any right of way or in any way impeding other visitors’ enjoyment of the site, we may ask you to stop.

We strive wherever possible to allow personal filming and photography inside our events and exhibitions, though it may vary from event to event and in accordance with any agreements we may hold with external providers. Please check in advance or speak to one of the team inside the event or exhibition and they will be able to advise you.

Please be aware that if you appear to be taking photographs on site for anything other than personal purposes, one of our staff or security guards may approach and speak to you to ascertain your intentions. If it transpires you are filming or taking photographs for commercial or editorial purposes without written permission, we reserve the right to ask you to stop and we will inform you of the appropriate channels of communication.

Wedding filming & photography

We welcome filming and photography requests from wedding parties who are not using the Great Hall for their ceremony or reception, however prior consent must be gained from Arts Centre management.

To request consent, the couple’s photographer and/or videographer must email The Arts Centre venues and event manager at least 10 working days before the proposed shoot. By requesting consent, the photographer/videographer agrees to our duty of care and terms and conditions and agrees to pay any associated fees as set by The Arts Centre. The Arts Centre charges $250 + GST for any professional photos on site. 

Once the filming and/or photography request has been approved, an invoice will be sent for the relevant cost. This invoice must be paid before the shoot.

Any couple using the Great Hall for their wedding ceremony and/or reception can request use of additional spaces around The Arts Centre. The couple’s photographer and/or videographer must email or call 03 366 0989 before the day to discuss the areas they wish to use.

Please note access to the Great Hall is not permitted for couples who have not hired it for their ceremony and/or reception.

More information on hiring the Great Hall for your wedding or event can be found here.

Commercial & broadcast filming & photography

The Arts Centre welcomes commercial filming and photography, however prior consent must be gained from Arts Centre management. Photography and filming is considered to be for commercial use when the photographer is a being paid for their work or intends to use it to help sell a product, service or event.

We have several spaces that have reopened following extensive restoration, providing a range of backdrops. These spaces include:

• The Clock Tower – common areas only

• Great Hall – if available

• Rutherford’s Den Lecture Theatre – only available between 6.00pm and 9.00pm

• North Quadrangle

• South Quadrangle

• Boys’ High – common areas only

To request consent for a proposed shoot, please email The Arts Centre venues and event manager at least 10 working days before your proposed shoot. By requesting consent, you agree to our duty of care and terms and conditions and agree to pay any associated fees as set by The Arts Centre. The Arts Centre charges $250 + GST for any professional photos on site. 

Once the filming or photography request has been approved, an invoice will be sent for the relevant cost. This invoice must be paid before the shoot.

Any filming and photography for commercial purposes must be arranged in advance and we reserve the right to stop any commercial filming and photography that has not been appropriately authorised.

Please click here if you wish to hire one of our venues for your filming and photography.

Please note that as The Arts Centre is open for the public’s enjoyment for 363 days of the year and holds and hosts many events and programmes, we regret we cannot accommodate all requests.

Media filming & photography

The Arts Centre is always happy to hear from media representatives who would like to arrange a shoot relating to The Arts Centre and its events and programmes.

Please email or call 03 366 0989 to talk through your requirements.

Any filming and photography for editorial purposes must be arranged in advance and we reserve the right to stop any editorial filming and photography that has not been appropriately authorised.