CoCA

Galleries and museum key icon.
Galleries and museum key icon.

Monday9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Tuesday9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Wednesday9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Thursday9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Friday9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Saturday9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Sunday9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

66 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

03 366 7261

The Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, more commonly referred to as CoCA, has a long history as a contemporary art exhibition space and as an avid supporter of local artists. The gallery is situated just around the corner from Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu inside a purpose-built building which has significant architectural value itself; it is a major example of the Christchurch modernist style and well worth gazing at. The ever-changing exhibitions showcased here introduce locals and visitors to some of the most interesting art produced in and around Canterbury Waitaha.

Currently, CoCA exhibitions can be viewed in the ground floor Ō Papa Gallery. The upstairs exhibition space is hosting the pop-up Canterbury Museum while the museum’s own site is undergoing a major redevelopment. To find Ō Papa, following the gradually rising ramp from the foyer. 

Programming at CoCA is conducted through annual proposals, and the focus is on showcasing the work of artists with links to or based in Waitaha. The gallery is committed to presenting and supporting a wide range of practices, so visitors can expect to experience something different from each exhibition. In between exhibits, CoCA often hosts events, workshops and performance art shows. It also works together with local arts education institutions at Ara and Canterbury University, and endeavours to make space for student work as well.

CoCA is a charitable trust and is proud to offer its exhibitions to the public free of charge. But if you want to give them a helping hand, donations are welcomed and help support local artists as well as the important job the good people here are doing.

When visiting this special Ōtautahi spot, make sure to take note of the murals adding colour to two major walls of the building – one on the outdoor patio and one inside Lux Espresso. These murals have been created by local artists and will change every few years. As for the aforementioned cafe, it is as much of a destination as the gallery itself. Lux slings some of the best coffee in town accompanied by plenty of scrumptious tummy-fillers. It would really be a crime not to stop here while visiting CoCA.

Words by Petra Nyman & Photography by Nancy Zhou & Ashleigh Vermaak

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

66 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

Nearby Places

Head over Heels

Shoes and bags on display at Head Over Heels in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Fashion key icon.

With New Zealand and international labels abound, expect plenty of classic shoe designs, mixed with fashion-forward options from the latest collections of top designers.

Montreal Bar and Restaurant

An outdoor fire and white seating at Hotel Montreal in Christchurch on a sunny day.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

While most hotel bars and restaurants are often only frequented by out-of-towners, we’ve found the exception – and it’s a very stylish one.

The Church Pub

The busy bar inside The Church Pub.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

The Church on the corner of Manchester and Worcester Streets in the heart of the city is a cornerstone of Christchurch hospitality.

Tanoshi

Hands holding chopsticks reaching for food on a plate.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

Tanoshi has made a name for itself in Queenstown with three popular sites, each with a slightly different focus. But its Christchurch restaurant is a fusion of them all.

Similar Places

The Arts Centre

The exterior of a building at the Christchurch Arts Centre.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury Editor's Pick
Cafes key icon. Galleries and museum key icon. Theatre and performance key icon.

A much-loved heritage hub for all things creative and cultural, Christchurch’s Arts Centre is a real jewel in the city’s crown.

Dead Video

Dead Video sign.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Theatre and performance key icon.

If you’re wondering — did streaming kill the video star? — the answer is not quite, thanks to neat people like Evan at Dead Video.

Objectspace at Sir Miles Warren Gallery

The sloping ceiling inside Objectspace Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Galleries and museum key icon.

Objectspace is Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading gallery dedicated to design, craft and architecture.

Scorpio Books

A woman sitting on a dark brown leather couch reading a book, surrounded by bookshelves, in Scorpio Books.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury

The city's best independent bookshop; come here for the latest and greatest novels and non-fiction.