Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum

The Art Gallery and Museum has a programme of rotating exhibitions that are delivered throughout the year.  With three temporary gallery spaces and two temporary museum spaces, there are always new and exciting exhibitions being installed.

The museum's exhibition hall features a permanent exhibition depicting the development of Ashburton District from pre-human to recent times. It has sections devoted to natural history, Takata Whenua, early settlement, civic affairs, church, education and health, as well as industry and farming.

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

The Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum have two collections.

The major components of the Ashburton Museum's collections are:

Objects: The large object collection contains many items ranging from toys and furniture to industrial equipment. Significant items include a collection of war medals earned by an Ashburton District nurse, Emily Peter, during the Boer War and First World War, and a dress uniform from the New Zealand land wars.

Of special interest is the Wakanui collection which comprises early moa hunter artefacts, found at a historic camping and fishing site at Wakanui Beach. This collection is recognised as being of extremely high regional and national significance, being one of the very few finds relating to this period of New Zealand's pre-European history.

Archives: The museum's community archive holds an extensive collection of historical records related to Ashburton District including people, farming, business, clubs, family, school and church material from 1858 to recent times. The museum also houses the archives of the Ashburton District Council.

Examples of materials held include:

• Records of the Ashburton Borough Council, County Council & early District Council.
• Road boards - Minutes, letterbooks and various correspondents
• Collections of plans and drawings of the Architect, Billy Thomas
• Community archives which comprise of the majority of material held

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.
Note: excluding the period 1932-1974

Photographs: The photographic collection contains more than 5000 prints dating from the 1870s to the present day, all related to the Ashburton District.

Major photographic collections include:

• The Binsted collection 1958 - 1980
• The Tindall negatives collection 1950s
• The Ashburton Guardian collection 1974 - 2004
• The Halma studio negatives collection
• The 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 via email to make a booking: connor.lysaght@adc.govt.nz.

Research beyond the first half hour will incur a fee.

The gallery's permanent collection

The Ashburton Art Gallery holds an assemblage of 702 works in its permanent collection with an additional 2000 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 Ashburton District and wider 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:

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, imaginative materials, and art activities. Delivered in partnership with Mid Canterbury Newcomers Network.

Wednesdays during school term, 3.00pm - 4.30pm

Art Addicts (AA) is the Gallery’s weekly art space for kids during the school term. Wrap up your Wednesday school day and head to the AAGM 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 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.

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 Gallery will supply 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.

Third Thursday of every month,  1pm - 2.45pm

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 – 2.45pm.

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

Organised with Tangata Atumotu Trust and Plunket.

Whether you want to find a gift for that special someone or feel the need to buy yourself something special and unique, our Gallery Shop is the place to be. Located on the first floor, the shop is packed with books, cards and exceptional hand-made objects. Not only will you receive outstanding customer service from our helpful staff, they 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 Ina Johann.

The Gallery 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 its programmes.

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