Christchurch Art Gallery, Christchurch Overview

Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna O Waiwhetu, also called Christchurch Art Gallery, is a public art gallery located in Christchurch. It boasts a vast art collection of local and international artwork. In the language of the Maoris, Te Puna refers to Waipuna, a spring beneath the gallery. Waiwhetu refers to the tiny tributaries that flow in the area to join the Avon River. Waiwhetu also means water in which stars are reflected.

Apart from art exhibitions, the Christchurch Art Gallery organises events like film society meets and art showcases to promote budding artists, exclusive theme-based shows for renowned individual artists and encouraging art forms using different media. It also initiates informative dialogues and discussions with expert artists that delve deep into the evolution of art and throw light on the influences that moulded it into what it looks like today. In addition, the Christchurch Art Gallery bolsters the development of artistic capabilities in children by teaching them drawing and other art forms. Christchurch has also made arrangements for guided tours to give better insights into its exhibits and collections to those interested.

History

The place where the Christchurch Art Gallery stands today, earlier used to be a public art gallery named Robert McDougall which was inaugurated on 16 June 1932. However, the gallery closed down on 16 June 2002. Christchurch City Council bought land for the new gallery in 1996. In 1998, a competition to design the new gallery was started.

The Christchurch Art Gallery was designed by the Buchan Group planned to deal with seismic events. The Gallery was initially used as Civil Defense Headquarters for the first seven months after an earthquake hit Christchurch in 2011. Later it opened in the year 2015 after reconstruction and refurbishments.

Exhibit Details

The exhibits in the Christchurch Art Gallery can be classified according to the material used in the artwork, subject, date, size, location, artists and nationality. The art gallery also exhibits commissioned works by various artists. The exhibitions are also based on themes like countryside, freedom etc.

Tips

In the Christchurch Art Gallery, you will find smart labels for some artworks. This means there is additional information regarding the piece of art on a digital platform which can be accessed by your smartphone. You can ask for headphones from the ground floor office or borrow a smartphone from the front desk too.
The Art Gallery has wheelchair access. There are special facilities for specially abled people everywhere in the gallery and proper seating arrangement has been done for such people in the auditorium.
Adequate toilets are available in the Christchurch Art Gallery.
There is a provision for parenting rooms too for the convenience of handling babies.
You can deposit your strollers and bags in the cloakroom for free.
The Christchurch Art Gallery organises art classes for the children too during holidays.
You are free to photograph as much as you want in the art gallery. However, in some places, it is prohibited to click pictures. Please avoid photography in the areas that have copyrights reserved.
Enjoy some snacks at Universo Brasserie and Bar which opens at 10:00 AM daily.
Visit the Design Store and get awestruck by the designs of cards, baubles and other gifting items.

Guided Tours

You can also opt for guided tours which happen between 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM daily.

These tours can range from forty-five minutes to an hour and are facilitated by expert guides.
There is no need to book a guided tour in advance. However, the group tours call for prior booking.
You can also opt for a late night tour on Wednesdays that starts at 7:15 PM.
The Christchurch Art Gallery also organises tours for babies and small children. This is done on the first Thursday of every month except in the month of January. The parents must accompany their child for the tour.
The Art Gallery has taken the initiative to have a special tour for the specially-abled people. This is a late night Wednesday tour that starts at 7:15 PM in the months of May and November.

How To Reach Christchurch Art Gallery

Christchurch Art Gallery is located at St Montreal Street at Christchurch Central. Christchurch Art Gallery can be reached in the following ways -

Bus - You can walk from the central bus interchange to the gallery. This would take approximately ten minutes. Alternatively, catch Bus 17 which crosses Montreal Street falling to the South of the gallery. From this point, it is a two-minute walk to the Christchurch Art Gallery.
Walking - The Art Gallery can be easily accessed by walking from Worcester Boulevard and Montreal Street.
Cycling - Cycle your way to the Christchurch Gallery which is connected to a number of cycleways and cycle lanes. You can find bike racks on the forecourt of the Gallery.
Driving - You can also drive to the Christchurch Art Gallery. You only need to pay NZD 1 per half an hour.
Tram - The tram leaves you right outside the gallery and is another convenient option.