Creative spaces directory: Canterbury region

Creative spaces are community-based arts organisations and groups where people, often with limited access, can go to make art, participate in theatre, dance, music, film and creative writing. Below is a list of creative spaces in Canterbury, or visit the national creative spaces directory

Please email us to update your entry, include your creative space in this directory, or make enquiries about the Creative Spaces Network. 

Art-East

Address: 116 Shortland Street, Aranui, Christchurch
A place for creative connection … Art-East was set up to provide a safe place of support for people who have or are struggling with a range of issues, including alcohol or drug, mental health, social stigma and physical disabilities. Arts-based activities are run within group settings and one-to-one programmes. It connects members with established artists and has regular outings in the Christchurch art community. Visit Facebook and their website
Contact: Lis Rate-Smith, Art-East Co-ordinator | 027 436 9922 | lis@drugarm.co.nz

Art for Life Trust

Address: 190 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch
Since 2014, Art for Life Trust has provided drawing and painting tuition to adults living with intellectual or neurological disability and/or neurodiversities. Morning and afternoon sessions are offered four days a week at their central Christchurch studio. The focus is on developing skills and confidence, expressing ideas and feelings through art, and social connection. The Art for Life annual exhibition held in November is a highlight, where all artists are invited to sell their work in the community.  Visit the website or Facebook page
Contact: Anh Que Chu | anh@artforlife.nz | 027 296 2954

Arts Integrated

Address: Various venues around Canterbury and Selwyn

Arts Integrated has been operating in the Christchurch community since 2016 with the vision of providing for the education support, guidance, training and encouragement of disabled people to experience and develop their performing arts talents and abilities within New Zealand. We deliver this each year by offering four, eight-week terms of courses to young people under the expert guidance of qualified tutors in dance, music, performing arts, visual arts, theatre and, in 2024, digital design.
Contact: Adam Hayward, General Manager| 021 230 9029 | artsintegrated1@gmail.com 

 

 

Cantabrainers Choir

Address: Christchurch
Cantabrainers Choir is a choir for people with neurological conditions to improve their voice and communication, health and well-being through singing and socialising. It’s led by a registered music therapist and a registered speech-language therapist. All welcome. See the choir’s Facebook page and website
Contact: Coordinator cantabrainerschoir@gmail.com

Inclusive Performance Academy

Address: Halswell Community Hall, 450 Halswell Rd, Christchurch
The Inclusive Performance Academy is a creative space that promotes connection, creativity, collaboration, confidence and friendship. Its weekly classes (Tuesdays and Thursdays) explore a variety of performance arts for young disabled people. Its focus is on devising, developing and delivering shows to audiences, including regular live theatrical shows, public performances at events and filmed projects for sharing online. Anyone into music, dance and drama is welcome.
Contact: Fiona McKenzie | 021 314 303 | inclusiveperformanceacademy@gmail.com

Jolt 

Address: 7 Aynsley Terrace, Hillsborough, Christchurch 8022

Jolt's vision is to celebrate difference and challenge perspectives about dance and disability. Established in 2001, Jolt’s range of classes offer opportunities for creative expression, social engagement, performance, and artistic leadership. Jolt has initiated a ground-breaking tutor training programme called Move that has enabled people with intellectual disabilities to develop their leadership skills, and to gain paid employment as dance teachers throughout the motu. Visit the Jolt Dance website
Contact: Lyn Cotton | 021 152 8600 | info@joltdance.co.nz 

Linwood Community Arts Centre

Address: 388 Worcester St, Linwood, Christchurch
The Linwood Community Arts Centre, a project of Te Whare Roimata Trust, provides a varied, affordable, arts-related programme to people from the least advantaged eastern inner-city neighbourhoods of Christchurch, enabling access to art-making and the creative arts. The building of community via inclusion, connectedness, individual- and community wellbeing lies at the heart of their work. Follow them on Facebook and visit their website. 
Contact: Dr Liz Boldt - arts.liz@tewhare.org

Many Hats Theatre Co.

Address: 344 Manchester St, Christchurch
Many Hats was established in 2013 and its mission is to provide access for people with disabilities and high needs to have opportunities for creative expression through the creation and presentation of drama performances.  It has its own YouTube channel with material that is created, written, and performed by the Many Hats actors. Many Hats YouTube
Contact: Casssie White - cassie.white@skillwise.org.nz

Ōtautahi Creative Spaces Trust

Address: Kowhai and Harakeke Studios (Rooms 8 and 9), Phillipstown Community Hub, 39 Nursery Road, Phillipstown, Christchurch

This is a creative community empowering people with mental distress to live their lives as artists and writers. We do this through studio groups, artist mentoring, art adventures in the community, exhibitions and workshops with guest artists. Committed to equitable access, our communities of focus are Māori, Pacific, Rainbow and Muslim communities. We have an online shop and 3D gallery. Visit our Facebook page, Instagram and website. 

Contact: Kim Morton, Director | 022 064 7963 | kim@otautahicreativespaces.org.nz 

The White Room Creative Space

Address: 344 Manchester St, Christchurch
The White Room is an inclusive art space that brings disabled and non-disabled artists together as a creative community, united by a shared passion for art. It provides a space to learn new techniques in visual art and opportunities to share ideas through interaction with visiting artists and tutors. It is a space that fosters creativity, skill-sharing, new ideas and ways of expression. Visit its Facebook page and website 
Contact: Simon Gray, Arts Tutor | 03 382 0350 | simon.gray@skillwise.org.nz