Christchurch Arts Centre
| Christchurch Arts Centre | |
|---|---|
Clock Tower, Great Hall and Classics buildings | |
Location within the Christchurch Central City | |
| Former names | Canterbury College, Christchurch Arts Centre |
| General information | |
| Type | Arts, culture, education, creativity and entrepreneurship |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Location | 2 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 43°31′53.33″S 172°37′41.64″E / 43.5314806°S 172.6282333°E |
| Inaugurated | 1878 (first building) |
| Owner | The Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Board |
| Design and construction | |
| Architects | Benjamin Mountfort Samuel Hurst Seager |
| Awards and prizes | UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation Award of Merit |
| Website | |
| https://www.artscentre.org.nz/ | |
| Designated | 15 February 1990 |
| Reference no. | 7301 |
The Christchurch Arts Centre, also known as The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, is a hub for arts, culture, education, creativity and entrepreneurship in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is located in the Gothic Revival former Canterbury College (now the University of Canterbury), Christchurch Boys' High School and Christchurch Girls' High School buildings, many of which were designed by Benjamin Mountfort. The centre is New Zealand's largest collection of category one heritage buildings with 21 of the 23 buildings covered by Heritage New Zealand listings. The Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Board formed in 1978 and ownership of the site was transferred to the trust from the University of Canterbury to the Christchurch Arts Centre in 1979.
The centre, which is held in trust for the people of Canterbury and its visitors, has been undergoing a large restoration since it was badly damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Buildings are progressively reopening to the public as they are strengthened and repaired and more than two-thirds of the buildings have reopened.