- Christchurch Arts Centre
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Christchurch Arts Centre 
Old Chemistry building (1910)
Location within the Christchurch Central CityFormer names Canterbury College General information Type various uses Coordinates 43°31′53.33″S 172°37′41.64″E / 43.5314806°S 172.6282333°E Inaugurated 1870s (first part of building) Design and construction Architect Benjamin Mountfort
Samuel Hurst SeagerDesignated: 15 February 1990 Reference #: 7301 The Christchurch Arts Centre is a hub for arts, crafts and entertainment in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is located in the neo-gothic former University of Canterbury buildings, the majority of which were designed by Benjamin Mountfort. It is listed as a Category I building (register number 7301) by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.[1]
Contents
Usage
The Centre includes speciality shops, bars, cafes, restaurants, galleries, theatres and cinemas. There is also a weekend market, and the Centre is the site of many festivals and special events.
The Court Theatre is a professional theatre company. It was founded in 1971 and has been at the Arts Centre since 1976.
The Twelve Local Heroes is a series of bronze busts located on Worcester Boulevard outside the Arts Centre to commemorate twelve local Christchurch people who were prominent in their respective fields in the latter part of the 20th century.
Governance
Arts Centre of Christchurch Incorporated was created in 1974, when the University completed its move to the new Ilam campus, and ownership of the site was transferred in 1978.
The Christchurch Arts Centre is governed by a trust board. Its membership is:[2]
- John Simpson (chair)
- Deane Simmonds (deputy chair)
- Martin Hadley (secretary/treasurer)
- Derek Anderson
- Garry Jeffery (representing the New Zealand Historic Places Trust)
- Ian Lochhead (representing the University of Canterbury)
- Joanna Mackenzie (representing the Christchurch Civic Trust)
- Deborah McCormick
- Cindy Robinson
- Denise Sheet (representing Ngāi Tahu)
- Sue Wells (representing Christchurch City Council)
Proposed School of Music
It was proposed in 2009 to use the Arts Centre car park located off Hereford Street for a School of Music for the University of Canterbury. Strong debate emerged over the proposal. Proponents valued the additional vibrancy that this would bring into the Cultural Precinct, and supported the university moving back to their original site. Opponents felt that the proposed building was out of scale with the existing Arts Centre and that the building design would detract from the heritage value. There was also concern about the Christchurch City Council's funding role for a university facility.[3][4]
An organisation opposing the proposal, Save Our Arts Centre (SOAC) was formed, with Dame Ann Hercus acting as spokesperson.[4][5] Ultimately the proposal was abandoned.
The Great Hall (1882)
Entrance to the Great Hall
North Quadrangle (1877)2010 earthquake damage
In the early hours of 4 September 2010, a major earthquake caused extensive damage throughout the region. The arts centre buildings suffered serious damage; collapsing chimneys damaged the great hall, the observatory and the clock tower. Arts Centre director Ken Franklin commented that prior measures taken to reinforce the buildings may have prevented additional damage.[6]
2011 earthquake damage
The Arts Centre was very badly damaged in the 22 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. All historic buildings are inaccessible to the public and the complex is closed for the foreseeable future. Nobody died in the Arts Centre. There is a general commitment to rebuild and repair most buildings, with the possible exception of the Observatory Tower, which completely collapsed. This will take years and will most likely cost over 100 million dollars.[7][8]
External links
References
- ^ Lovell-Smith, Melanie (20 August 2001). "Arts Centre of Christchurch". Historic Places Trust. http://www.historic.org.nz/TheRegister/RegisterSearch/RegisterResults.aspx?RID=7301. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
- ^ Trust Board membership, accessed 29 Nov 2009[dead link]
- ^ University of Canterbury information on the music school proposal. Music.canterbury.ac.nz. Retrieved on 9 July 2011.
- ^ a b http://www.soac.org.nz/ SOAC.org.nz: Website opposing inappropriate development of the heritage area
- ^ Matthews, Philip (20 February 2010). "A return to the fray". Christchurch: The Press. pp. C2-3.
- ^ VAN BEYNEN, MARTIN (05/09/2010). "Quake devastates Christchurch's heritage". The Press. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4096832/Quake-devastates-Christchurchs-heritage. Retrieved 6 September 2010.
- ^ Gates, Charlie (15 March 2011). "Rebuilding Christchurch Arts Centre may take years, cost $100m". The Press. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4768246/Rebuilding-Christchurch-Arts-Centre-may-take-years-cost-100m. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
- ^ "Terrible blow, but it will be rebuilt". The Press. 15 March 2011. http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/4768194/Terrible-blow-but-it-will-be-rebuilt. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
Categories:- Buildings and structures in Christchurch
- Arts centres in New Zealand
- Busking venues
- NZHPT Category I listings in the Canterbury Region
- Visitor attractions in Christchurch
- 2011 Christchurch earthquake
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