Christchurch Arts Centre

The Arts Centre
Te Matatiki Toi Ora
Clock Tower, Great Hall and Classics buildings.
Location within the Christchurch Central City
Former names	Canterbury College, Christchurch Arts Centre
General information
Type	Arts, culture, education, creativity and entrepreneurship
Architectural style	Gothic Revival
Address	2 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch, New Zealand
Coordinates	43°31′53.33″S 172°37′41.64″E / 43.5314806°S 172.6282333°E / -43.5314806; 172.6282333
Inaugurated	1878 (first building)
Owner	The Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Board
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Benjamin Mountfort Samuel Hurst Seager
Awards and prizes	UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation Award of Merit
Website
https://www.artscentre.org.nz/
Heritage New Zealand – Category 1
Designated	15 February 1990
Reference no.	7301

The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora is a hub for arts, culture, education, creativity and entrepreneurship in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is located in the Gothic Revival former Canterbury College (now the University of Canterbury), Christchurch Boys' High School and Christchurch Girls' High School buildings, many of which were designed by Benjamin Mountfort. The centre is a national landmark and taonga as it is home to New Zealand's largest collection of category one heritage buildings with 21 of the 23 buildings covered by Heritage New Zealand listings.

The centre, which is held in trust for the people of Canterbury and its visitors, has been undergoing a large restoration since it was badly damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Buildings are progressively reopening to the public as they are strengthened and repaired and more than two-thirds of the buildings have reopened.^[1]