Exhibition AUG 29 - NOV 9, 2026 The Adam Portraiture Awards 2026 Free VENUE: Whakaari The Adam Portraiture Award is Aotearoa New Zealand's premier award for painted portraiture. Presented biennially by the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata, the award has become one of the country's most significant and anticipated art prizes.
Exhibition SEP 24 - OCT 21, 2026 Mīharo: Legends of Our Lands – Our People, Our Places, Our Stories Free VENUE: Manaaki Nui Presented as part of Mīharo’s annual art awards and exhibition, Legends of Our Lands – Our People, Our Places, Our Stories brings together artworks by tamariki and rangatahi from Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary education, alongside artists in Mīharo’s open 18–25-year-old category. The opening for the show and awards will be presented on Wednesday 23 September at 5.30pm - all are welcome to join.
Tamariki (kids) OCT 13 - OCT 15, 2026 Afterschool Programme – Term 4, 2026 $20 taster, $180 full term VENUE: Mahi Tahi Looking for something creative for your tamariki after school? Our Afterschool Programme is a fun, hands-on space for tamariki aged 5–13 to get creative, try new things and build their skills alongside our talented Education Team. From 3:30 - 5pm, registration is essential.
Wellbeing OCT 15, 2026 Mums & Bubs Yoga + Movement $28 per session ($163 for the full term of 8 sessions) VENUE: Kapa Tahi Designed for mamas from 6 weeks postpartum (12 weeks after a C-section birth), this gentle class is run in term blocks and is created especially for new mums, with your bub right alongside you.
Talks, Workshops OCT 15, 2026 He Pukapuka, He Waina, He Reo | Term 4 VENUE: Tōnui If you are looking to immerse yourself in conversational reo outside of the classroom, learn more about Māori literature, or simply enjoy thoughtful conversation in good company, this space is for you. Join us fortnightly for an evening of books, kōrero, connection and a glass of something to sip.
Exhibition OCT 17 - OCT 18, 2026 Whenu ki te Whenua | The Strands that Connect Us to the Land VENUE: Manaaki Mai 'Whenu Ki Te Whenua' invites you into Te Whare Pora (the house of weaving), where raranga becomes a living conversation between people, place, and the natural world. Guided by the kaupapa “the strands that connect us to the land,” this exhibition honours the relationship between weaver, whenua, and te taiao. Free to visit over the weekend 17-18 October, 2026.
Drop-in Sessions OCT 17, 2026 Saturday Arts Social Free VENUE: Puāwai Saturday Arts Social is a multi-arts programme and morning tea designed for our 60+ community. We gather every Saturday morning for a broad programme of events including concerts, art workshops, dance/movement classes and artist talks. Next event: Saturday 17 October, 10:30am.
Tamariki (kids) OCT 19, 2026 Wriggle and Rhyme Free VENUE: Kapa Tahi Wriggle and Rhyme is a free weekly music and movement programme for ages 0 – 2, facilitated by Sunny Sky from EpicKids. Held every Monday, there are two age-specific sessions available each week: 10am – 10:45am for Toddlers (Under-2s) and 11:00am – 11:45am for Babies.
Rangatahi (Teens) OCT 19, 2026 Art Space for Teens $22 Per week VENUE: Mahi Tahi Looking for somewhere to get creative after school? Art Space for Teens is a relaxed, supportive visual arts space for young people aged 14–18 to experiment, develop ideas and create on their own terms. Mondays during Term 4, from 3:30pm. Stay any time you like up until 5:30pm. Registrations are essential. Book individual classes, or the full term.
Drop-in Sessions OCT 20, 2026 Community Craft VENUE: Puāwai Join us on the third Tuesday of each month for Community Craft - a free, drop-in night to explore creative forms like writing, sewing, and dance. All levels and ages welcome. Come along and hone a craft! Next event: Tuesday 20 October, 7pm - 8pm
Drop-in Sessions, Workshops OCT 21, 2026 QAS Life Drawing with Kasia Hebda (Term 4, 2026) $33 per session, (28 October is Free) VENUE: Puāwai Join Queenstown Arts Society for classical figure drawing sessions guided by artist Kasia Hebda from Kasia Hebda Studio. Enhance your drawing skills and deepen your understanding of composition, line, mass, and texture through observational drawing with a life model. No experience necessary - beginners are welcome. Book as you go. Classes run 6pm - 7:30pm. Please arrive 10mins before start time.
Drop-in Sessions OCT 27, 2026 Wānaka Community Nights VENUE: Wānaka Community Hub Our popular Free Community Nights are now in Wānaka too! Join us each month for a free, drop-in night to explore diverse creative forms like singing, drawing, dancing, writing, sewing, and more. All levels and ages welcome - no experience needed. Come along and have fun with us! Next event: Tuesday 27 October, 7pm - 8pm
