Wellington city impresses many newcomers with the wealth of cultural facilities it provides, and the diverse arts and entertainment happenings on offer.
Facilities
Wellington is home to most of the national arts, dance, theatre, opera and music institutions. These include the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre, and New Zealand School of Music. All perform regularly in the city.
Three professional theatres (Circa, Downstage and Bats) offer audiences a range of productions.
The region's art museums include:
- the Museum of Wellington City and Sea - preserving and promoting Wellington's heritage
- Pataka in Porirua - showcasing contemporary Maori, Pacific Island and New Zealand art
- the Dowse in Lower Hutt - exhibiting an eclectic range of art, ceramics, photography and sculpture.
There is also the City Gallery in Civic Square, and the Adam Art Gallery on Victoria University's Kelburn campus, both of which are highly regarded for their exhibitions of international and national visual artists.
Toi Poneke - the Wellington Arts Centre, plays an increasingly important role in supporting and promoting emerging and early career artists. This centre has studios for over 35 local artists, and a number of arts organisations have offices there.
Related Links
- Adam Art Gallery website
- Dowse Art Museum website
- Kapiti Arts Facilities - Kapiti Coast District Council website
- Museum of Wellington City and Sea website
- Museums and Galleries - Hutt City Council website
- Museums and Galleries - New Zealand Tourism Online website
- NZLive website
- Pataka Museum website
- Te Papa - Museum of New Zealand website
- Wellington Arts Centre
- Wellington City Gallery website
- Wellington Sculpture Trust website
