About Us
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu opened on 10 May, 2003 in the heart of the city's cultural precinct, bounded by Worcester Boulevard, Gloucester and Montreal Streets. The new $47.5 million facility features two floors of exhibition space, two educational activity areas, an auditorium, a café and wine bar, two retail outlets, a Sculpture Garden and underground parking.
The name ‘Te Puna’ honours waipuna, the well spring (the actual artesian spring on the site) and ‘Waiwhetu’ refers to one of the tributaries in the immediate vicinity, which flows into the Avon River. ‘Waiwhetu’ may also be translated as ‘water in which stars are reflected’.
The largest art institution in the South Island, the Gallery replaces the Robert McDougall Art Gallery (est. 1932) as the home of one of New Zealand’s most important public art collections.
Through purchases, bequests and donations, the Gallery’s Collection now totals over 5,500 items, including paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, glass, metalwork and photography.
Founded with the Jamieson and Canterbury Society of Arts Collections of British and European paintings, the Gallery’s collection and acquisition policy is now focused on the art of Canterbury, placed within a New Zealand and international context. Find out more about the Collection.
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In 1998 the international design competition for this important civic building was won by The Buchan Group, one of the largest architectural practices in Australasia.
Since November 2008, the Gallery has become licensed to carry both the Qualmark – New Zealand tourism's official mark of quality – and the Qualmark Enviro Silver that reflects our commitment to working towards more sustainable practices.
Vision
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu will take a key leadership role in making Christchurch’s Cultural Precinct and Worcester Boulevard the most visited cultural tourism site in New Zealand.
The Gallery is ideally placed to take this lead with its iconic building, strategic location at the heart of the Cultural Precinct and the Gallery’s programmes inviting visitors to live the Precinct’s core values of expanding cultural horizons and enriching senses.
The Gallery wants to grow the public’s perception of art as it commits to new audiences by building a new, stimulating visitor experience and develop the brand.
The Gallery recognises its key audiences are the families/whanau of Christchurch, international visitors to the City, domestic visitors, educational groups and special audiences.
The Gallery strives to connect people with art – emotionally and intellectually. We celebrate art and the creative art spirit. The Gallery knows where it stands and has global reach.
The Gallery educates, inspires discovery and preserves the legacy of artistic achievement for the people of Canterbury and New Zealand through collecting, presenting, interpreting and conserving quality works of art.
The Gallery wants to be recognised locally, nationally and internationally as innovative, with quality collections and programmes, and for the enjoyment and appreciation of art it brings all its audiences. The Gallery will set a standard of excellence in all its endeavours.
