Galleries in Christchurch

The biggest and certainly the most famous of them all: the Christchurch Art Gallery has something for everyone. The art on display ranges from old masters to modern art. The Art Gallery also runs regular events including talks, museum tours and film evenings. Montreal Street, 7 days a week 10am - 5pm, with a late night on Wednesday's from 5 - 9pm. 

If you like modern and abstract art, then CoCA is for you! The art on display is not always straightforward, a visit to CoCA will widen your horizon and challenge the way you view art. 66 Gloucester Street, 10am until 5pm Tuesday to Friday, 10am until 3pm Saturday & Sunday, Closed Mondays & Public Holidays.

The Art Box Gallery was founded after the earthquakes to support local artists. The main focus of the Art Box Gallery's founder Beverley Frost is modern art. Unit 1/16 Loftus Street, Tuesday – Friday 11am – 4pm, Saturday 11am – 2pm.

Jonathan Smart is a leading Christchurch gallerist that runs two galleries in Christchurch: The Jonathan Smart Gallery and The Central. The Jonathan Smart Gallery is dedicated to showing contemporary visual art ranging from painting and photography to sculpture and moving image work. 52 Buchan Street, Wednesday - Friday 11am - 5pm; Saturday 11am - 3pm.

Located in the former library of the Arts Centre, The Central features work by leading contemporary New Zealand artists. Run by Jonathan Smart and four other local families, The Central brings back the arty heritage to the Arts Centre. Arts Centre, Worcester Boulevard , Tuesday – Sunday 10am - 5pm.

Absolution has been operating for more than 20 years and is a widely known tattoo and piercing studio in Christchurch. The studio is located in the Boys High Building at the Arts Centre and has a gallery space within. 28 Worcester Street, 7 days a week 10am - 6pm.

The Chambers Art Gallery has built up a reputation for exhibiting the work of leading New Zealand artists and newcomers. The art on display is very broad: painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, pottery and installation. 80 Durham Street, Sydenham, Tuesday – Friday 10:30am – 5.00pm, Saturday 11am - 3pm.

The School of Fine Arts has an exhibition space for the art classes of the University of Canterbury and the wider Canterbury region. Block Two, School of Fine Arts, University of Canterbury, Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm.

City Art Depot started out as a picture framing workshop. Over time it evolved and expanded to include a fine arts gallery. The main focus of the gallery is printed work and paper drawings. 96 Disraeli Street, Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 2pm.

Located down St Asaph Street you'll find Windsor Gallery, with a dedicated consultation area leading through to a bright modern gallery space. Discover artworks from portraiture through to landscapes and beautiful sculptures. 386 St Asaph Street, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 10am - 1pm.

Specialised in contemporary jewellery from New Zealand and abroad, The National represents more than 40 jewellers and exhibits sculptural ceramics, glass and object-based works. 249 Moorhouse Avenue, Tuesday – Friday: 10.30am - 5.30pm, Saturday 10.30am - 4pm.

The Physics Room is a contemporary art space dedicated to developing and promoting contemporary art and critical discourse in Aotearoa New Zealand. The gallery hosts exhibitions, artist talks, performances and discussions. The Physics Room goal is to actively seek links between the arts and other areas of cultural production and to involve art as a contributing voice in wider intellectual, social and political debate. 49 – 59 Worcester Boulevard, Tuesday – Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am - 4pm. 

The PG gallery192 brings big names of the New Zealand art scene to the city, focusing on contemporary art. 192 Bealey Avenue, Tuesday - Friday 10.30am - 5pm, Saturday 10.30am - 2pm.

Form Gallery showcases leading New Zealand object artists. The contemporary work includes cast and blown glass, ceramics, jewellery and other media. 468 Colombo Street, Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm.

Fibre Gallery Ōtautahi is the first of its kind in Te Wai Pounamu. A distinctly Moana gallery, dedicated to the display of community-engaged, digital, and heritage artworks by Moana creatives. Level 1, 285 Cashel Street, Christchurch. Open Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 4pm

Fiksate is an urban contemporary art gallery and artist studio space located at 54 Hawdon, Sydenham. The in-house artists range from painters to stencil artists, designers to multi-disciplinary practitioners and writers. Alongside a revolving schedule of exhibitions, Fiksate also hosts workshops and visiting artists. Hours vary.

The Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery is based in Riccarton and offers a full range of different art styles which is constantly changing. The building itself is also designed to be a piece of art. Make sure to join a tour around the Buddhist Temple while visiting the gallery. 2 Harakeke Street, Riccarton, Tuesday - Sunday 9.30am - 4pm.

Explore more than three thousand years of human history through an amazing collection of artefacts from Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Near Eastern cultures at Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities. UC Arts City Location, 3 Hereford St, Christchurch, Wednesday - Sunday, 11am- 3pm.

On the way to Akaroa in Little River is another gallery space that is well worth a visit. The Little River Gallery displays fine New Zealand art, holds regular exhibitions and has a good collection of New Zealand made keepsakes. Main Road, Little River, 7 days, 9.30am - 5pm.

Stoddart Cottage Gallery is the birthplace of one of New Zealand's foremost 19th century artists, Margaret Stoddart - the cottage is situated at Stoddart Point, Diamond Harbour. Exhibitions by local artists change monthly. 2 Waipapa Avenue, Diamond Harbour, 10am - 4pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday, most public holidays and other times by arrangement.