New space opens to the arts community

Media are invited to attend the launch of Toi Poneke Hub – a dedicated space connecting people to the arts in Wellington.

Mayor Kerry Prendergast will open the Hub at 8am on Thursday 18 February. The launch is open to anyone who wants to go along – there’ll be coffee, pastries, tours of the new space and a performance by Jo Randerson and Gentiane Lupi to round off the morning.
 
Mayor Prendergast says the Hub is “the icing on the cake for what is already an amazing arts centre”.
 
“We established Toi Poneke Arts Centre five years ago, and it’s gone from strength to strength in an area of Wellington which is becoming known as the ‘Arts and Smarts’ quarter. The studios are full of thriving artists and arts businesses, and the gallery is making a name for itself.
 
“This new space will help people to find out anything they need to know about the arts, whether they want to join a theatrical group, take up painting, write a screenplay, organise a stage production or just meet people with similar ideas.
 
“The arts community told us that they wanted a space like this, that there’s a need for it, and we’ve got it together. The arts are clearly thriving in this city,” says Mayor Prendergast.
 
The finishing touches are now being put in place. Desks and computer resources are being installed, as well as lots of blank canvases along the walls – giving people plenty of space to meet up and brainstorm all kinds of arts projects.
 
The space adds to the wealth of facilities at Toi Poneke – artist studios available for long-term rent, music, theatre and dance rehearsal spaces, and a gallery dedicated to emerging or early-career artists. Toi Poneke also houses many arts organisations.
 
The launch starts at 8am at Toi Poneke Arts Centre on Abel Smith Street – just up the road from Real Groovy.