Arts Development Agency
ARTS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
We're transitioning to an independent arts development agency for Whakatū.
TRANSITION
In November 2025, Nelson City Council announced their support to help us move into our new home at the Nelson Arts Hub. We also had the pleasure of welcoming Rohan O’Neill-Stevens as our Transition Director, to lead us through this exciting period.
These announcements come after some incredible mahi across our team, in collaboration with our board, our community, and our partners. We are delighted to bring our full team with us through this evolution, continuing the decades of work by Arts Council Nelson.
These developments are a result of He Tātai Whetū, our city’s creative strategy, in partnership with our community. He Tātai Whetū identified the need for an independent arts development agency to advocate for, champion, connect, and support the wide range of organisations, community groups, artists, and audiences that make up our creative sector. It also identified the strong local support for a central arts hub to service this diverse community.
OUR PURPOSE
As an independent development agency for Whakatū, our vision and goals are expanding - but our core purpose remains the same as it has for the last 56 years.
We will remain a strong pou and support for the local and regional arts community, delivering funding advice and community arts engagement.
We will continue to support artists, organisations and our arts community to thrive, by working together to create benefit for all involved.
We will continue to produce exciting events for Nelson, including Nelson Clay Week in 2026 and a new winter creative tourism initiative.
THE ARTS HUB
Plans are underway, with support from Nelson City Council, to repurpose the site at Millers Acre for the new Arts Hub.
We plan to move into the new space in mid-2026.
The Arts Hub will be the new home for our Refinery ArtSpace activities, which will continue to champion community arts and emerging artists from across Aotearoa.
OUR NEWSLETTER
Get the latest local arts news, events and opportunities.