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Whirinaki Whare Taonga

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Whirinaki Whare Taonga is an art centre in Upper Hutt, New Zealand.[1] The Centre consists of five public art galleries, a 200-seat theatre, a creative classroom, and a recreation hall. Whirinaki opened in 2003 and was at that time called Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre.[2] It later changed its name to Whirinaki in 2021. The Māori word Whirinaki means to lean, rely on, or provide support. Whare Taonga means "house of treasure".[3] The purpose of Whirinaki Whare Taonga is to build social cohesion and improve wellbeing through arts, culture, and events.[4] An average of 150,000 people visit each year.

Whirinaki hosts exhibitions ranging from New Zealand and international art to local artists, with an emphasis on interactive, family-friendly shows.[5] Longer-term exhibitions explore the cultural and social history of Upper Hutt. Notable international exhibitions hosted by the Centre include 50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic (Smithsonian, 2015),[6] Catwalk to Cover (London Fashion Museum, 2016),[7] and The Secrets of Mona Lisa (The Louvre, 2017).[8] In 2024 Whirinaki presented Hall of Heroes, which drew record attendance.[9]

Whirinaki hosts concerts, theatre, dance, and community events.[10] Major annual events include the King's Birthday Music Festival,[11] and the Classical Expressions chamber music series.[12] The recreation hall hosts community events such as the Upper Hutt Multicultural Festival[13] and the Heretaunga Bookfest.[14]

Whirinaki Whare Taonga is owned by Upper Hutt City Council and operated by the Whirinaki Whare Taonga Trust, a charitable Council Controlled Organisation.[15] Trustees are volunteers and are unpaid.[16] The Trust participates in Council's Long Term Plan consultations,[17] and reports through annual statements and strategic documents.[18]

Whirinaki holds a small collection of early New Zealand Impressionism artworks.[19] The collection was gifted by Ernest and Shirley Cosgrove in 2009.[20] The collection centres on artist James Nairn, who lived at Pumpkin Cottage, a hub for early New Zealand Impressionists.[21] History The Upper Hutt Civic Centre opened in 1969, followed by the Civic Hall in 1971. In 1993 the Upper Hutt Valley Community Arts Council proposed a local arts theatre, leading to the establishment of the Upper Hutt Community Arts Centre Trust in 1994. Architecture+ was engaged to design the facility. Construction of the new Expressions building began in 2002 and was completed in 2003.[22] Extension (2015–2021) To accommodate growing visitor numbers, Whirinaki underwent a major expansion, adding the Gillies Gallery, collection storage, a creative workshop, and a commercial kitchen, funded in part by the Regional Amenities Fund.[23] The extension, designed by Athfield Architects and built by Maycroft Construction, opened in 2021.[24]

References

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  1. ^ "Wellington places – Upper Hutt". Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  2. ^ "Expressions Arts & Entertainment Centre". New Zealand Institute of Architects. NZIA. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  3. ^ "Whirinaki". Māori Dictionary. Te Whanake. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  4. ^ "Statement of Intent 2023–2026". Whirinaki Whare Taonga. Whirinaki Whare Taonga Trust. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  5. ^ "Whirinaki Whare Taonga". Neat Places. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  6. ^ "National Geographic images draw big Upper Hutt crowd". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  7. ^ "Catwalk to Cover". RNZ. Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  8. ^ "From eyebrows to smiles: Mona Lisa exposed". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  9. ^ "Exhibition celebrates superhero universe". The Post. Stuff Ltd. 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  10. ^ "Whirinaki Whare Taonga". My Upper Hutt. Upper Hutt City Council. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  11. ^ "Dave Dobbyn to play Upper Hutt music festival". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  12. ^ "Chamber Music New Zealand". CMNZ. Chamber Music New Zealand. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  13. ^ "Multicultural Lunar New Year Festival". Upper Hutt Multicultural Council. 11 December 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  14. ^ "Heretaunga BookFest". Heretaunga BookFest. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  15. ^ "Community benefits from another three years of Whirinaki Whare Taonga". Upper Hutt City Council. UHCC. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  16. ^ "Whirinaki Whare Taonga Trustee Vacancies". Upper Hutt City Council. UHCC. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  17. ^ "Long Term Plan Consultation". Let's Korero. Upper Hutt City Council. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  18. ^ "Whirinaki Whare Taonga Trust". Charities Register. Charities Services. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  19. ^ "Pumpkin Cottage Collection". Whirinaki Whare Taonga. Whirinaki Whare Taonga Trust. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  20. ^ "Cosgrove Collection". Upper Hutt City Library Recollect. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  21. ^ "Pumpkin Cottage artists". RNZ Spectrum. Radio New Zealand. 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  22. ^ "Expressions". Architecture+. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  23. ^ Wenman, Eleanor (15 April 2018). "Upper Hutt gallery extending to become a regional drawcard". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  24. ^ "Whirinaki Whare Taonga Extension". Maycroft Construction. Maycroft. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
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