New Location For Toi Pōneke Arts Centre Announced
The current Toi Pōneke Abel Smith Street premises will close early June 2026 to coincide with the new site opening at 3-6 Market Lane – located in part of the iconic building on the corner of Cable Street and Market Lane.
Wellington City Council has operated Toi Pōneke Arts Centre in Abel Smith Street since 2005. It was opened to support the Wellington creative sector, providing temporary rental space for artist studios and offices, residencies, and a programme of exhibitions and events.
As Toi Pōneke Arts Centre celebrates its 20th birthday in September 2025, the Market Lane 20-year lease ensures that the service will continue to provide support to Wellington creatives.
A new vision and tuakana-teina kaupapa was developed for Toi Pōneke last year.
The Market Lane premises will play an integral role in bringing the new vision and kaupapa to life. It will be a vibrant, accessible, and inclusive space that nurtures collaboration, creativity and cultural exchange between artists, and welcomes visitors and supporters from the community, says Deputy Mayor Laurie Foon.
'The new Toi Pōneke Arts Centre will provide enhanced facilities, directly supporting Wellington artists with the space and resources they need to create and innovate.
'We want our city to thrive as the creative capital so providing space that will inspire new collaborations, nurture emerging talent, and be a place for artists to flourish, for years to come is vital,' adds Deputy Mayor Foon.
Toi Pōneke activities align with the outcomes of Council'sTākai Herepartnership agreement andTūpiki Ora Strategy, and everything Toi Pōneke does contributes to the outcomes of theAho Tini 2030 Arts, Culture and Creativity Strategy.
Toi Pōneke at Market Lane will offer 1959m² of floor area across three levels, featuring artist studios, offices, a workshop space, and flexible spaces including dance studios, drama rehearsal space, a gallery, and a cultural/pōwhiri space.
The building is accessible, seismically sound, and a character property with high stud heights and plenty of natural light.
In partnership with mana whenua, and with input from Wellington's creative sector and the Toi Pōneke community, the re-imagined Toi Pōneke vision is defined as a dynamic space to support artists to develop and grow. It will achieve this by offering limited term rental agreements and by using the tuakana-teina kaupapa to connect artists with support from more senior practitioners.
Developing alternative venue options for Toi Pōneke is a strategic priority in the Council's Long-term Plan. The move and fit-out of the new premises are within the financial parameters set out in the 2024-34 Council's Long-term Plan. The total budget in the 2024-34 Long-term Plan for the design and fit-out is $6 million.
Applications for limited term artist studios, arts offices, and a workshop space at Market Lane will open 27 August 2025 and close 28 September 2025. All details, including rental costs and an online application form, will be available on the Toi Pōneke website when applications open.
For now, it's business as usual at Toi Pōneke Abel Smith Street, open daily except public holidays. Visit toiponeke.nz for opening hours, the latest exhibition details and what's on.
Background and resources
Aho Tini 2030 is Council's arts, culture, and creativity strategy, which focuses on strengthening and growing Wellington's creative ecosystem.
An action in the 2022-24 Aho Tini Action Plan was to further develop how Toi Pōneke Arts Centre can continue to support the arts and creative sector, including partnership and co-location opportunities, and support incubation opportunities and emerging artists.
There will be 9 limited term artist studios (plus another that will be used for artists in residence), 6 arts offices, and a workshop space in the new Toi Pōneke, alongside flexible hireable spaces including dance studios and drama rehearsal, multipurpose, a gallery, and a cultural/pōwhiri space. There will also be opportunities to display artwork throughout the building.
Aho Tini 2030 Arts, Cultural, and Creativity Strategy
Tākai Here Partnership
Tūpiki Ora Strategy
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