The Dowse Art Museum
The Dowse Art Museum is a free public gallery for people to enjoy contemporary art and culture
Where
Lower Hutt
Accessibility
Wheelchair access
The Dowse Art Museum is a leading contemporary art gallery in Lower Hutt with an international reputation for its high-quality visitor experiences. Entry is free to their regularly changing exhibition programme featuring contemporary visual art, fashion, jewellery, multi-media and ceramics.
Often referred to as "The Dowse", and founded in 1971, it has one of New Zealand's largest and significant public art collection numbering over 2000 items. From exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, conferences, installation, education... they do it all.
Having undergone an extensive six million dollar makeover by Athfield Architects in 2006, The Dowse Art Museum has been re-born as a cultural hub, with an eclectic display that includes fashion, jewellery, multi-media vignettes and finely-crafted ceramics.
Throughout the gallery are a series of visual 'snacks' that change every six to eight weeks and a sprinkling of creative posts for visitors to roll up their sleeves & reach within to find their inner-artist.
As well as housing over 300 pieces, the gallery contains a destination cafe & gallery shop, an outdoor courtyard, conference facilities and a creative workshop specially designed for hands-on classes and programmes.
They offer fun, educational interactive programmes that relate to the school curriculum and encourage students to think creatively about a variety of subjects ranging from technology to social studies.
Accessibility
A wheelchair is available from the front desk for use in the gallery and there is lift access. Guide and hearing dogs are welcome.
School groups
Programmes are based around the museum's ever changing calendar of dynamic exhibitions across eleven gallery spaces. Exhibitions showcase a range of media; from painting, sculpture, jewellery, photography, fashion and ceramics to the world of digital media.
The Dowse Art Museum is LEOTC-funded with a focus on social studies/Tikanga a Iwi and the arts/Nga Toi. Resources and programmes are designed to meet curriculum objectives for all levels, from early primary through to senior secondary students. Sessions can be tailor-made to suit the specific needs of your learners.