Wellington City Council has announced a new location for Toi Pōneke Arts Centre at Market Lane, offering 1,959 square meters of floor space across three levels. The facility will include artist studios, offices, a workshop space, dance and drama rehearsal rooms, a gallery, and a cultural/pōwhiri space. The move is part of the Council's Long-term Plan, with a total budget of $6 million for design and fit-out. Applications for limited-term artist studios, arts offices, and workshop space will open on 27 August 2025 and close on 28 September 2025.
The new Toi Pōneke represents a strategic investment in Wellington's creative infrastructure, providing a seismically sound, accessible, and character-rich environment designed to support artist development through limited-term rental agreements and a tuakana-teina mentoring model. By partnering with mana whenua and incorporating input from the local creative sector, the centre aims to foster a dynamic, inclusive space that strengthens the city's arts ecosystem and ensures long-term sustainability for artists and arts organizations.