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Top 6 Wellington art galleries and museums
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Niki Morrell
[Intro]
Wellington is renowned for the quality of its art institutions and its love of all things creative. Te Papa remains one of most iconic places to visit in Wellington, but there many others to experience and explore, each different and with its own unique vision. We’re sure you’ll find one to inspire you in the following six – and they’re all free.
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City Gallery Wellington – 101 Wakefield Street, Civic Square
City Gallery is dedicated to exhibitions, not collections. Focusing on contemporary visual arts, architecture and design, this gallery likes to inspire and challenge its visitors, and prides itself on its innovation and style. It has exhibited works from New Zealand artists Ralph Hotere and Gretchen Albrecht along with many international names like Yayoi Kusama and Gonkar Gyatso.
Opening hours: 10am–5pm daily, closed Christmas Day
Adam Art Gallery – Gate 3, Victoria University, Kelburn Parade
Designed by award-winning architect Ian Athfield, the Adam Art Gallery is the purpose-built gallery of Wellington’s Victoria University and manages the university’s extensive art collection. The gallery is research led, and aims to widen knowledge and critical discourse on art through exhibitions, performances, lectures and talks featuring the works of both local and international artists.
Opening hours: Tue–Sun 11am–5pm, closed Mondays, public holidays and during exhibition changes
PĀTAKA Art+Museum – Corner of Norrie and Parumoana Streets, Porirua City
In Māori, ‘pātaka’ means ‘a storage place for precious things’ and PATAKA Art+Museum is the cultural heart of Porirua City, 20 minutes from Wellington on State Highway 1. This gallery showcases Māori and Pacific Island art, alongside contemporary New Zealand, Asian and international works. Featured artists have included painter Emma Panting, photographer Stu Robertson and sculptor George Nuku.
Opening hours: Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 11am–4.30pm
The Dowse Art Museum – 45 Laings Road, Lower Hutt
Founded in 1971, the Dowse houses one of New Zealand’s largest and most significant public art collections, numbering over 2000 items. It is situated in Hutt City, just under 20 minutes from Wellington via State Highway 2. The Dowse has committed to a few environmentally friendly projects to operate the business in a more sustainable way, so when visiting, be sure to check out the Rainscreen on the building facade, an art piece by New Zealand artist Simon Morris which also helps to control the effects of the sun, reducing the need for air-conditioning.
Opening hours: 10am–5pm daily except on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day (there is also free Wi-Fi)
Enjoy Public Art Gallery – Level 1, 147 Cuba Street
Located in bohemian Cuba Street, Enjoy is a non-commercial enterprise run by artists, and focuses both on promoting emerging artists and encouraging established artists to innovate and experiment. At different times a studio, publishing house and exhibition space, this progressive and exciting gallery runs summer residencies and has featured works by multimedia artists Angela Tiatia and Heather Hayward, as well as photographer Tanu Gago.
Opening hours: Wed–Fri 11am–6pm, Sat 11am–4pm
Travel secret:Scopa Caffé Cucina, a modern Italian eatery that’s a favourite with the locals, is just a few doors down from Enjoy. Try the Gamberetti pizza for lunch after a visit to the museum.
AVID Gallery – 48 Victoria Street
For those into art that’s not just on a canvas, AVID is a dealer gallery specialising in ceramics, glass, jewellery, bronze, wood and other applied art objects. The gallery showcases the works of New Zealand’s most original and skilled makers, including Becky Bliss, Mark Mitchell and Dorthe Kristensen. AVID holds regular exhibitions and the gallery carries a good range of work you can purchase.
Opening hours: Tue–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–3pm
