Auckland Art Gallery Opening Weekend Festival

The wait is finally over as the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki opens its doors on Saturday 3 September.

Saturday 3 September: Official Civic ceremony 10am, doors open 11am
Sunday 4 September: 10am - 5pm
See below for opening festival timetable

Everyone is welcome to join the official civic ceremony at 10am on the Kitchener Street forecourt of the Gallery. After the ceremony, which includes a speech from Mayor Len Brown, kapa haka display and a performance by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, doors will open to the public at 11am.

Opening hours are extended to 10pm on opening day and the following Saturday. A special visitor programme for the first and second weekends of opening includes talks, presentations, readings, fashion, music and cultural performances.

The Gallery will have late night openings until 7pm every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday throughout September.

Don't miss the opportunity to view the Julian and Josie Robertson Promised Gift with works by European masters of the modern period, including Gauguin, Dalí and Mondrian - at the Gallery until 30 October.

Throughout September, the Gallery will host screenings care of the Film Archive as part of the Auckland Heritage Festival, including a screening of archival rugby film footage introduced by special guest, ex-All Black captain Sir Wilson Whineray.

Entry to the Gallery, its opening exhibitions and activities programme is free.

Find out more on our website.

SATURDAY 3 SEPTEMBER

10.30am - 2.30pm: Art workout! Street theatre
An exercise regime for the senses to warm you up for New Zealand's biggest art experience.

11am: Gallery doors open

11am - 10pm: Introduction to the Robertson Promised Gift
11am - 10pm: The Redevelopment Project - photo essay by Jennifer French
11.15am and 1.15pm: Traditional Maori waiata and taonga puoro
12pm: Celebrate Choi Jeong Hwa's extraordinary Flower Chandelier
1pm - 3pm: Family drop in - a creative space for the whole family!
3pm: Pacifica
4pm and 6pm: Classical music performance
7pm: Jazz
8pm: Fashion in Motion
9pm: The Sound Room - ambient audio for the Gallery
4pm and 6pm: Classical music performance
 

SUNDAY 4 SEPTEMBER

10am: Gallery doors open

10am - 2pm: Art workout! Street theatre
10am - 5pm: Introduction to the Robertson Promised Gift
10.30am and 12.30pm: Traditional M?ori waiata and taonga puoro
12pm and 3pm: Classical music performance
1pm - 3pm: Family drop in - a creative space for the whole family!
 

GETTING THERE
Travel to the Gallery at the corner of Kitchener and Wellesley streets in Auckland's CBD.

Road closure and diversions
Kitchener St will be closed to traffic from 8am-12pm and diversions will be in place. Follow the road signs to access the Victoria St or Civic car parks. Detours will apply and marshalls will be on hand to guide traffic.
 
Public transport
The Gallery is just off Queen Street and 15 minutes' walk from Britomart and the ferry terminal. Ride for free along Queen St on the new City LINK bus and get off at stops 7053 or 7054. You could also jump on the Outer LINK bus to travel to the Gallery along Wellesley Street - the nearest bus stops are 1094, 7088 and 7089.
 
Parking
During the road closure, the nearest car parks will be at Victoria Street and the Civic. Take advantage of $4 all-day parking available this and every weekend at the Victoria Street car park by picking up a voucher from the Gallery's front desk. Once road closures have been lifted, the nearest car park is the Wilsons car park on Kitchener Street.  
 
Access
Disabled parking is available at the nearby car parks. All galleries and facilities are wheelchair accessible. Assistance dogs are welcome.