Toi Pōneke Arts Centre will move to 3 Market Lane and reopen in late June as Toi Aro, giving Wellington artists a new central city base.
The Wellington City Council arts centre will include studios, arts offices, exhibition opportunities, hireable creative spaces, residencies and public programmes.
Toi Pōneke has supported Wellington artists for more than 20 years across film, visual arts, literature, theatre, dance and music.
The council says Toi Aro will continue that work from its new Market Lane premises, with a focus on practical space and support for the creative sector.
The new site was blessed this morning, and the name Toi Aro was gifted by mana whenua kaumātua Dr Te Taku Parai and Kura Moeahu.
The council says the centre has been designed to be inclusive and physically accessible, and will operate as a Tiriti-led facility grounded in mana whenua kawa and tikanga.
Wellington Mayor Andrew Little says the centre will support artists at different stages of their careers.
“Toi Aro will be a catalyst for the growth and development of Wellington artists,” Little says.
The name Toi Aro acknowledges Te Aro Pā whenua, its history, pūrākau, surrounding taiao, gardens and cultivations, and hapū Ngāti Haumia and Ngāti Tūpaia.
Toi refers to the arts, skill and excellence. Aro means to face, turn toward, or give attention to.
Holden Hohaia, speaking on behalf of Te Aro Pā whānau, says whānau were included in the planning and cultural integration of the new centre.
“This acknowledgement of whakapapa, history, and whenua is important to us,” Hohaia says.
“We look forward to continuing to support and uplift the artists of Wellington as this new creative space begins its journey.”
The redevelopment follows Wellington City Council’s Aho Tini 2030 Arts, Culture and Creativity Strategy Action Plan 2021-2023, which included further development of Toi Pōneke’s role in supporting the arts and creative sector.
The council says it has worked with Wellington’s creative community over the past four years, including Toi Pōneke users, staff, mana whenua, tangata whenua and the wider arts sector.
Bookings for hireable spaces open on June 10. Applications for two arts offices are open now.
More information is available on the Toi Pōneke website. The new Toi Aro website is expected to go live from mid-June with details of events and activities at the Market Lane premises.
