Kāpiti Coast Arts
Kāpiti has a wealth of talent and a large and diverse arts scene, making it an fascinating creative destination for locals and visitors alike.
Kāpiti Coast Arts Trail
The annual Kāpiti Arts Trail is held on the first weekend of November. The Trail provides a fabulous showcase of the skill and creativity that makes the Kāpiti Coast so special.
Each year there are Artists in Studios to visit, allowing you to see where they work and meet the artist. There are also Arts & Artisans Hubs, each with a number of artists and artisans, providing a wide variety of work. Galleries and cafes participate too.
This is one of the most significant free public events held on the Kāpiti Coast each year. We thank the artists, artisans, visitors and organisers for making it such a great event!
Artist and Artisan applications for the 2013 Kāpiti Arts Trail are now being accepted, to view more details, go here.
Arts Funding
The Creative Communites Scheme is funded by Creative New Zealand and is administered locally by the Kāpiti Coast District Council. The Scheme aims to support and encourage local communities to create and present diverse opportunities for accessing and participating in arts activities within the District, as well as for defined communities of interest.
There are two funding rounds in each Financial Year. (The Council's Financial Year starts 1 July). The first Creative Communities funding round for this financial year is now open and accepting applications. View more information and download application forms here.
Art Galleries on the Kāpiti Coast
Art Spaces in Kāpiti Coast District Libraries
Each of the public libraries in the Kāpiti Coast District provides an art space, available to local artists and community groups.
Details on community art spaces at each library can be viewed here.
The three Library Art Spaces are:
- Gillian & Roderick Deane Art Space, Paraparaumu Library
- He Kākano, Waikanae Library
- Ngā Purapura, Otaki Library
Mahara Gallery
Located in Mahara Place, Waikanae, the Mahara Gallery provides high-calibre curated exhibitions and provides opportunities for Kāpiti Coast artists to exhibit.
The Gallery has access to the prestigious Field Collection of works and artefacts collected by the internationally renowned artist Frances Hodgkins and her family. The Field family has strong historical ties to the Kāpiti Coast District, and Waikanae in particular, and the Collection provides a very valuable insight into the life of the artist, her family and the District.
The Gallery is operated by the Mahara Gallery Trust and is partially funded by the Kāpiti Coast District Council, view the Mahara Gallery website here.
Kāpiti Coast Arts Guide
Some 29 of the District's fantastic artists, studios and galleries feature in the second edition of the Kāpiti Coast Arts Guide.
It features a number of galleries and studios which have opened since the publication of the original version in 2004.
The Guide is available locally at each of the district's libraries, Nature Coast Information centres, Kāpiti Coast District Council offices, Mahara Gallery and
participating galleries and studios.
If you are an artist or gallery who would like to be included in the Guide in the future, contact the Arts & Museums Development Officer for more details.
Strategy for Supporting the Arts
This Strategy was adopted by the Council in April 2012. One of the first priorities actioned has been the development of a Film Friendly Policy.
Middle Earth and Kāpiti
Congratulation to Sir Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and all the cast and thousands of crew on the completion of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey". And congratulations to Wellington City and people from all around the region (and beyond) for providing such a wonderful premiere.
The Kāpiti Coast District is called "Home" to many involved in the film - both actors and crew, and we congratulate all of them on their work and achievements.
We also have artisans who have provided their wares to the film creators of Middle Earth, notably Mirek Smisek who created over 700 pottery goblets, jugs, bottles and other items for the "The Lord of the Rings" (LOTR) film trilogy.
The District itself featured in LOTR, with three locations chosen. These are: Queen Elizabeth Park (Pelennor Fields), Ōtaki Gorge Road (Hobbiton Woods) and Ōtaki Totara Forest (The Road to Hobbiton).
Related links
Museums
Newsletters and Periodicals