Arts Council
Nelson

At Arts Council Nelson, our mission is to promote, initiate and support projects ​and activities that stimulate and strengthen the​ artistic and cultural life of our communities.

About us

YOUR LOCAL ART CONNECTOR

We work with individuals and organisations across our region to facilitate all kinds of creative opportunities.

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What’s on at Refinery ArtSpace

REFINERY ARTSPACE

Decorative Histories

Isla Thomson’s multi-disciplinary practice focus on re-creating historical art processes with textiles and print making.

Decorative Histories explores primary texts bringing ancient methods into the modern day.r

17th November —13th December

REFINERY ARTSPACE

Kisetsu | 季節 | Seasons

Amy Yoshikawa Couling’s exhibition is an appreciation of the seasons, using Japanese symbolism.

These motifs flow through her paintings to celebrate each distinct period of the year.

17th November - 13th December

REFINERY ARTSPACE

Wa Hei | Peace

Hei Wa / Peace is a selection of works by students of Nelson's Yuyu Calligraphy School.

Their work is exhibited alongside work by master calligrapher Akiko Crowther, as a celebration of 20 years of teaching in Nelson.

17th November - 13th December

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Refinery ArtSpace

Refinery ArtSpace is committed to stimulating and strengthening the artistic and cultural life of Whakatu, supporting a diverse programme of engaging community-driven and/or contemporary exhibitions, projects and events.

Comprising three adaptable gallery spaces and two large workshop facilities, Refinery ArtSpace is also the home to the Arts Council Nelson Team.

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What We Do

Nelson Clay Week

Ceramists from across Aotearoa come together to learn, teach, build new connections and celebrate all things clay in a biannual festival.

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Nelson Jewellery Week

A biannual celebration of contemporary jewellery in Aotearoa, for makers, wearers, and viewers.

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Changing Threads

The annual National Contemporary Textile Fibre Art Awards, celebrating artists who stretch the boundaries of fibre and textile art.

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Community Arts

We support and promote community arts opportunities across the Te Tauihu region, including administering funding and offering advice.

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Funding

We connect artists with funding grants, including Creative Communities and Nelson City Council schemes.

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Arts Development Agency

We are transitioning to a future-focused development agency to better support the region.

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What’s On

We feature creative events, exhibitions, opportunities, and 
more happening in Te Tauihu, Top of the South.

Want to submit your own listing? Submit below or email lil@acn.org.nz.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Featured
NZ Textile Workshops
Nov 1
NZ Textile Workshops

Upcoming NZ Textile Workshops for November 2025.

Light Falls — Ana Krakosky
Nov 6
Light Falls — Ana Krakosky
NCMA Lunchtime Concert
Dec 9
NCMA Lunchtime Concert

Adam Chamber Music Festival
Jan 31
Adam Chamber Music Festival

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Social Media

Join us tonight for the opening of three new exhibitions at Refinery ArtSpace. See you from 5.30 PM - all wecome 💫 Opening tonight: Decorative Histories by Isla Thomas Kisetsu | 季節 | Seasons by Amy Yoshikawa Couling Wa Hei | Peace by Nelson's Yuyu
Last few days to check out our current exhibition - Seasonal Agreement by John Vea, in partnership with Nelson Arts Festival. Delve into new perspectives with this peaceful yet poignant work about RSE and migrant workers in Aotearoa. Open today a
Jessica Hazel | Vulva Last days to view this remarkable exhibition of tapestries by Whakatū based artist Jessica Hazel. "This exhibition is a celebration of the female form and an exploration of what it means to have a vulva. It's about embr
Lance Kerr | A View From Somewhere Last days to view this fabulous exhibition by Te Tai Poutini based artist Lance Kerr. "My work over the last five years has been in response to my first visit to Japan, where the old and new are integrated an
Makyla Curtis | Folding Time Textile Poetics Last days to view this gorgeous exhibition of hand bound books of poetry and and textile prints by Tāmaki Makaurau based artist Makyla Curtis MFA The misty layering of cotton-silk in Folding time: textil
Make your own fluffy vulva broach in this one-off workshop next Saturday 11th October with Jessica Hazel! Take inspiration from Jessica's latest exhibition, Vulva, at Refinery ArtSpace and learn how to Punch Needle. There are limited spaces, so book
Take a closer look.... 🧐 This month our exhibitions are full of texture: bold brush strokes, soft silks and On now until Image 1: Lance Kerr Image 2: Makyla Curtis Image 3: Jessica Hazel Images by @eli_cliche
We had a fantastic opening night this week for three new exhibitions in our gallery spaces! Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us. Come into the gallery next week to check out Jessica Hazel's tufted vulvas, Makyla Curtis' delicate botanic
Opening Monday at 5 30 PM, Makyla Curtis presents her solo show 'Folding Time: Textile Poetics' developing kinship with plant-life and notions of rootedness and belonging in misty layers of cotton-silk. Makyla was the Supreme Winner of Changing Thre
Opening on Monday at 5.30 PM, Lance Kerr's latest exhibition 'A View from Somewhere' explores the resonance between buddhism and postmodern deconstruction, inspired by his first visit to Japan. Join us on Monday 15th September for opening night, alo

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