Kapiti Coast Arts

Kāpiti has a wealth of talent and a large and diverse arts and culture scene, making it a fascinating creative destination for locals and visitors alike.

COVID-19 information

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many arts activities and projects, including our current Public Art Programme activities and Public Art Panel planning. We will resume our programme as soon as possible, but major decisions will not be made until more clarity is available about the progress of the pandemic.

Artists in the district are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with the COVID-19 Alert Levels, and refer to the latest updates when planning arts activities. In particular, please note what the requirements are at any particular date for the size of gatherings, and what health and safety measures should be taken for events. We advise planning for alternatives and contingency planning for different alert levels.

Support packages: check the Creative New Zealand website for information about support packages during this time. See our information sheet for artists, with useful links including to some local support platforms.

What's on?

There are lots of exciting arts and culture events of all kinds throughout the year in Kāpiti. Listings for these can be found in the local newspapers, on local radio and the events website Eventfinda.

If you are organising an event on the Kāpiti Coast, check out our Promotions Toolkit for tips on how to promote your event.

Arts and culture groups

Find arts, dance, music, theatre, and cultural groups using Citizens Advice Bureau's community directory, a directory of community groups and services in the wider Wellington region.

If you have an group, venue or visitor attraction you want to promote, check out our Promotions Toolkit for tips on how to promote yourself.

Kāpiti Arts Trail and Guide

Kāpiti has a wonderfully diverse range of studio artists and galleries displaying works from Ōtaki to Paekākāriki all year round. There is something for everyone, whether you're just starting to look at art, you're a seasoned enthusiast or you're an artist in your own right.

Find out more about the annual Kāpiti Arts Trail, one of our most significant art events of the year.

Check out the details of many artists and galleries in our Kāpiti Arts Guide 2019/20 - these are available from visitor i-sites, galleries, studios, libraries and cafés around the district. The Kāpiti Arts Guide is for use all year round - many artists are open at regular hours or by appointment.

Mahara Gallery

As the District's Public Gallery, Mahara Gallery has an annual programme of high-calibre curated exhibitions and provides opportunities for Kāpiti Coast artists to exhibit.

The gallery, located in Mahara Place in Waikanae, is operated by the Mahara Gallery Trust and receives funding from the Council.

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 Kāpiti, in particular Waikanae, and the collection provides a very valuable insight into the life of the artist, her family and the district.

The Mahara Gallery Trust is now fundraising for a redevelopment of the gallery building to enable it to be brought up to professional museum standards. Once this has been achieved, the gallery will be able to permanently house the Field Collection and ensure it is not lost to Kāpiti.

For more information view the Mahara Gallery website here.

Public Art Panel

The Public Art Panel is appointed by the Council to oversee the Public Art Programme, assisting the Council to implement the Public Art Policy. See Public Arts Panel for more information.

Exhibition spaces in Kāpiti libraries

Paraparaumu and Ōtaki public libraries each provides an exhibition space, available to local artists and community groups.

Details on community exhibition spaces at each library can be viewed here.

The two Library Exhibition Spaces are:

Gillian & Roderick Deane Art Space, Paraparaumu Library
Ngā Purapura, Ōtaki Library

Arts funding

The Kāpiti Coast District Council administers the Creative Communities Scheme funded by Creative New Zealand. 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). To view more information about the Creative Communities Scheme, go here.

You can also:

Policy and Strategy for Supporting the Arts

View the Council's Strategy for Supporting the Arts

View the Council's Public Art Policy