Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum

The Art Gallery and Museum has a programme of temporaryexhibitions that are delivered throughout the year. With five special exhibition spaces, there are always new and exciting exhibitions being installed.

The museum's exhibition hall also features a permanent exhibition depicting the development of the Whakatere Ashburton District from its earliest occupation to recent times. It has sections devoted to natural history, Takata Whenua, European settlement, civic affairs, transport, education and health, as well as industry and farming.

Of particular interest are the portrait wall with photos and biographies of newcomers to the Whakatere Ashburton district, and a special display featuring the story of irrigation, a topic that is of particular importance to the district.

Collections: The Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum cares for various collections, including the Ashburton District Council historical archives and Civic Art Collection, the Ashburton Museum & Historical Society’s community archives and heritage collections, and the Ashburton Art Gallery Inc.’s collection of artworks

Archives: The community archive holds an extensive collection of historical records related to the Whakatere Ashburton District including people, farming, business, clubs, family, school and church material from around 1858 to recent times.

Examples of materials held in the Ashburton District Council historical archives include:

• Records of the Ashburton Borough Council, County Council & early District Council
• Road Boards - minutes, letterbooks and various correspondence
• Collections of plans and drawings of renowned local architect Billy Thomas

Also available on microfilm are many of Ashburton's early newspapers, including the Ashburton Mail, the Evening Echo, the Ashburton Herald and the Ashburton Guardian from 1878 to 2015  .

Photographs: The photographic collection contains more than 5,000 prints, and thousands of negatives dating from the 1870s to the present day, all related to the Whaketere Ashburton District.

Major photographic collections include:

• The Gordon Binsted collection 1958 - 1980
• The Charles Tindall negatives collection 1950s
• The Ashburton Guardian negative collection 1973 - 1999
• The Halma studio negatives collection
• The Ashburton Courier photographs up to 2004

Research: The archives are available for research with the help of the museum's Archivist, Connor Lysaght. Bookings are available in the research room from 10am to 4pm on weekdays. Get in touch to make a booking:

Phone: 033077893

Email: connor.lysaght@adc.govt.nz

For remote research queries, please note that research beyond the first half hour will incur a fee.

Art: The Ashburton Art Gallery Inc. collection contains an assemblage of over 900works with an additional 2800   plus works on long-term loan. At the centre of the collection is the work of award-winning children’s book author and illustrator David Elliot. The AAG supports the promotion of children’s literature in New Zealand as an integral part of educating and inspiring our youth and it extends this promotion through the exhibition of its Elliot Collection.

The permanent collection also includes an array of individual works by nationally significant artists such as Philip Trusttum, Nigel Brown, Philip Clairmont and Rudolf Gopas. Through its Collection Policy, the AAG retains a strong focus on acquiring works of art which exemplify excellence and/or are of historical and/or artistic significance to the the Whakatere Ashburton District and wider Waitaha Canterbury region. With this intent, the AAG also holds individual works by Michael Armstrong, Kath Von Tunzelmann and the late Austen Deans who have contributed greatly to Mid-Canterbury’s artistic identity.

The Art Gallery and Museum provides fun and interactive learning programmes to suit school groups of all ages. School visits are tailored to meet the needs of students through facilitated discussions, hands-on activities and engagement with real experiences. Contact our educator Katie to book your visit.

If you are wanting resources on particular topics for your kura, get in touch. Between our archives, collections and resources we have a vast wealth of information about our local history and visual art.

All programmes have been tailored to suit

• Years 1- 3
• Year 4-6
• Year 7-10

Senior secondary programmes and resources are created to suit particular standards on request.

We have a range of public programmes running throughout the year, including:

Kōwhai Mums

First Wednesday of every month, 10.30am - 12pm

Kōwhai Mums is a monthly art group that caters to ethnic and migrant mums/carers, as well as newcomers to Whakatere Ashburton. While this group has an emphasis on engaging with newcomers, any mums/carers with children aged 0-5 years are welcome to attend.

Sessions provide a safe and fun environment for mums/carers to relax and socialise whilst children explore their world through sensory play, tactile materials, and art activities. Delivered in partnership with Mid Canterbury Newcomers Network.

Art Addicts

Wednesdays during school term, 3.00pm - 4.30pm

Art Addicts (AA) is a weekly art space for kids during the school term. Wrap up your Wednesday school day and head to the Art Gallery & Museum to get creative and explore different materials and themes in art. AA is all about a fun, shared learning experience for all who attend. We encourage carers, parents and grandparents to join in on the fun too!

There is no need to book, just drop in anytime between 3:00-4:30pm. All we ask is for a donation which will contribute to the resources that make up the sessions. Children of all ages are welcome.

In Colour

Second Friday of every month, 10.30am - 12pm

In Colour is a great way to unwind and relax with like-minded people. Bring along your art and craft projects to share with others over morning tea once a month.

These are social sessions that encourage you to connect with others through creativity. Be inspired to learn a new creative pastime. Sessions are free and new members are always welcome.

The Art Gallery & Museum supplies basic colouring-in sheets and materials, along with tea, coffee and a biscuit or two. We encourage those attending to bring along their own materials and projects.

Island Breeze

Third Thursday of every month, 1pm - 3.45pm

Join us for our monthly Pasifika wāhine art and craft session in Ashburton!

If singing, chatting, and art sounds like your cup of tea, come along on the third Thursday of every month from 1pm – 3.45pm.

Island Breeze welcomes Māori and Pasifika. Kai is provided. Contact Fifita on 027 529 0022 for more details.

Organised in partnership with Tangata Atumotu Trust and Plunket.

Located on the first floor, the gift shop is packed with books, cards, jewellery and exceptional hand-made objects. Not only will you receive outstanding customer service from our helpful staff, we will also package and wrap your purchases free of charge!

Items in the shop are constantly changing, and we often have special items related to our exhibitions. Currently we have a ceramic works from Janna van Hasselt and Blue Black, as well as artworks by Rachel Ratten.

The Art Gallery & Museum shop is open every day during opening hours and until 7pm on Wednesday nights. Cash, eftpos and credit cards are accepted, and your purchases directly support the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum and its programmes  .

Friends of the Ashburton Art Gallery and members of the Ashburton Museum & Historical Society receive a 10% discount on their purchases.