Love Letters to Bridge St - Call to action....
Arts Council Nelson and Make/Shift Spaces are currently seeking expressions of interest from community artists and volunteers to be involved in this creative community project celebrating the stories, people and character of Bridge Street.
We are looking for people who would like to contribute creative ideas, assist with making, installation support, community engagement and general event help. No specific experience is required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved.
For more information or to express interest, please contact: info@makeshiftspaces.nz
You can also find out more about Make/Shift Spaces and other partner projects here:
Richmond Comedy Club
First Wednesday of the month - Open mic and featured comedians - new comedians welcomed.
Come to watch, come to perform or both…. Free entry. Contact: comedychris@outlook.co.nz or follow on FB here
Pushing Clay - Forsyth Barr Ceramics Awards
Closing date for Submissions - 21st August 2026.
Full details here: https://www.acn.org.nz/pushingclay
International Art Award
See full details here: https://event.esunbank.com.tw/mkt/drawesun/esunbank_en.html
Poetry? - at WAA!
For biffins and beginners, amateurs and poetry curious..
All welcome every first Saturday of the month.
Changing Threads is back in 2026
Changing Threads is back for 2026!
This Contemporary Fibre & Textile Art Awards and Exhibition will take place between 6th June - 18th July 2026 at the Refinery ArtSpace.
Give a little for Isobel
Visit Isobel’s ‘Give a Little Page’ : https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-isobel-stevens-get-to-australias-tamworth
Art Awards - Call for entries
See full details here: https://www.mmcaward.co.nz/entry-form.html
Creative Escapes- activities at Red Art Gallery
Fabulous opportunity to create , relax and enjoy your choice of activity each Monday - Thursdays.
Contact Suzi at info.redartgallery@gmail.com
Our Vision - Youth Art Opportunity
Youth Art Exhibition - see full details here: https://shape.nelson.govt.nz/our-vision-exhibition
Exhibition of Children's Fancy Car Ideas
Fabulous childrens artwors submitted toward the ‘My Fancy Car’ Children’s Public Mural Project
Follow the thread
Take a journey through The Coolstore Gallery in Mapua and enjoy the many ways textiles can be turned into incredible works of art. An exhibition showcase of five very different textile/fibre artists from around NZ, featuring: Sara Gore, Natalie Holland, Anne Daniel, Kim Lawrence and Nicola Tappa. Come join us at The Coolstore Gallery (8 Aranui Rd, Mapua) for the opening night on Thursday, 16th July, 6pm-7:30pm. See full details here: http://www.thecoolstoregallery.co.nz/
Modern Maori Quartet
An Evening with the Modern Māori Quartet an unforgettable trip down memory lane through Aotearoa's rich musical history. Harking back to the Maori show bands of yesteryear. Book here: https://nz.patronbase.com/_NelsonCentreOfMusicalArts/Productions/MMQ/Performances
NELSON'S WINTER JAZZ FESTIVAL 2026
See the great full programme here: https://www.nelsonjazzclub.com/jazzfest2026
My Name is not Mum
Please see full details and correct times here: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/events/landing/19732
My Fancy Car Children's Drawing Exhibition
Fabulous children’s artwork submitted for the Fancy Car Public Mural.
'Mug Off' Competition and Exhibition
See full entry details here: https://thecoolstoregallery.co.nz/pages/mug-off
Nelson Clay Week 2026
October 3-9, 2026 See full details here: https://www.clayweek.co.nz/
Machine de Cirque
Nelson Arts Festival is coming, check out this great offering here and get in to score earlybird tickets..
Machine de Cirque
Nelson Arts Festival Presents Machine de Cirque. Please note Saturday Matinee time. Details here:
Collage Workshop at Red
By Rowan Taigel - Guerrilla Poetry. See details here: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/collage-workshop-tickets-1992743852506?aff=oddtdtcreator
Te Ramaroa is here.....
Te Ramaroa is an outdoor gallery of brilliant light installations across central Whakatū Nelson, 5.00 - 9.30 pm every night for five glorious nights 3rd - 7th July 2026.
See full programme and maps here: https://www.teramaroa.nz/map
Bringing Back Tertulia - Fundraiser
This event is open to artists, storytellers, musicians, and anyone who appreciates cultural expression. Whether you want to perform, share your work, or simply listen, your presence adds to the experience and your ticket purchase helps to keep the community glowing. see full details here: https://events.humanitix.com/bringing-back-tertulia-a-cultural-conversations-fundraiser
Toiere – presented by NZ Opera
Following its acclaimed debut at the Auckland Arts Festival, Toiere comes to Nelson, bringing a powerful fusion of cultures and sound. This extraordinary concert reimagines iconic operatic masterpieces through a unique blend of original languages and te reo Māori, transforming familiar arias into a new, deeply affecting experience that could only come from Aotearoa.
Full details and bookings here: https://ncma.nz/event/toiere-presented-by-nz-opera/
Creative Transformations: Upcycled Fashion Show
Over 70 entries across all categories – it’s going to be a fantastic evening of entertainment and creativity, with an important message about sustainable clothing. Tickets prices: $20 adult, $5 child (under 16), $40 family (2 adults and 2 children) + booking fee from https://events.humanitix.com/creative-transformations-upcycled-fashion-show
Ordinary Wonders Project – Invitation to Share Memories and Register as an Artist
Ordinary Wonders is a community arts project exploring the small moments that build connection, safety, wellbeing, and belonging across Te Tauihu.
Hikitia! is inviting people with a connection to Te Tauihu to share memories of parenting, grandparenting, caregiving, godparenting, or being parented in this region. Just a few sentences are enough. A shared memory could be a moment of laughter, a family tradition, or time spent together in a place that matters to you.
These memories will inspire artworks created by local artists and exhibited as part of Ordinary Wonders at the new Nelson Arts Hub in August 2026. The artwork inspired by each story will then be gifted back to the contributor at no cost.
Please follow the links to join the project:
Ordinary Wonders 2026 Call Out
Call for Artists and Storytellers for a community collaborative exhibition
MAKE IT AT THE CATHEDRAL - AN EPIC CO-CREATIVE EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE
Let your creativity flow in the awesomeness of Nelson Cathedral.
Surrounded by the rich, neo-classical sounds of Nile Street Project and guided by Creative Arts Therapist Lynda Jessen-Tye, this immersive, large-scale creative experience invites you to participate in the expressive arts in response to the music offered. No experience of art making is needed and the opportunity is to sink into the process of creating rather than focusing on a finished product.
Nile Street Project’s evocative music, paired with beautifully crafted lighting, will create a deeply atmospheric environment where art, sound and space come together.
See full details of this and other great opportunities here:
Make it Nelson
80 workshops over four weekends…..
Full programme here: https://makeitnelson.co.nz/
Ireland The Voyage at the Theatre Royal
See full details of this and other shows here: https://www.theatreroyalnelson.co.nz/
Tasman National Art Awards - Call for entries…
Exhibition open to the public Sunday 27th September 9.30am to 4.30pm daily through to Saturday 10th October at the Mapua Community Hall.
Closing date for entries 28th June see full details here:
Jewellery Workshops
Workshops for all ages and skill levels. See what’s on offer and coming up…
CCS Local Arts Funding - Call for applications..
See full details, application guides and forms here: https://www.acn.org.nz/funding
NZ Music Month
See what’s happening here and around the motu… https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/tours-festivals/2026/nz-music-month-te-marama-puoro-aotearoa?utm_medium=email&utm_source=ef_news&utm_campaign=2618&utm_content=content
Hands up for Care & Connection
As part of Hands Up for Hospice Month, we invite you to join a small Care and Connect gathering — a gentle space to slow down, share tea and kai, and connect with the women of Global Stitch Up. This relaxed session offers a chance to pamper yourself while learning from talented wahine in our community: meet Fernanda, who will share her nail care expertise, JingJing, who will offer a soothing hand massage using traditional Chinese tools and her own handmade balm, and Shakeela, who will introduce you to the beauty of Mendhi (henna), its designs, and their cultural origins. Come for the care, stay for the connection, and help support our local Hospice
For more details and to RSVP visit: https://www.culturalconversations.co.nz/event-details/hands-up-for-care-and-connection
