Māngere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku is the home of Māori and Pacific visual and performing arts in Tāmaki Makaurau. The year-round gallery programme reflects the diversity of arts, crafts, and cultural activities within the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu local board community. The centre’s primary purpose is to engage and inspire communities with Māori and Pacific arts and culture.
We are calling for creative projects from groups, collectives or individuals interested in exhibiting and/or creating unique projects, programmes, or events at the Arts Centre to be held during 2026 (January – December).
Māngere Arts Centre - Ngā Tohu o Uenuku has limited financial resources and projects requiring significant funding should apply for grants through the Auckland Council, Creative New Zealand (CNZ) or The Ministry of Culture and Heritage (MCH).
Auckland Council recognises te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi as a foundational document on which local government in Auckland works to deliver Māori aspirations reflecting mana whenua mātauranga (knowledge), tikanga (practices), reo (language) and kaupapa (ideas).
We recognise that Auckland’s Māori identity is its unique point of difference in the world and celebrate Māori culture and te reo Māori. We seek to build on this identity in our Arts Facilities
Project criteria
Preference is given to:
- Artists from the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board area and the wider Auckland region
- Projects exploring places, people, and themes relevant to the community where the gallery is located
- Projects supporting or aligning with one or more of the selected objectives in the Māngere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku Business Plan:
To develop the centre as a destination facility for Māori and Pacific arts and culture that attracts local, national, and international audiences
To deliver a balanced range of arts and culture experiences, including contemporary and heritage visual and performing arts by local, national, and international artists
To increase local communities access to and participation in the arts (with a specific focus on youth audiences)
To support and mentor local artists and connect them to broader audiences and opportunities
In addition, priority will be given to:
- Group projects
- Projects with strong public programmes or workshops
- Projects that align with Māori aspirations: reflect mana whenua, mātauranga (knowledge), tikanga (practices), reo (language) and kaupapa (ideas).
- Applicants who whakapapa to any of the 19 iwi of Tāmaki Makaurau
- Projects that align with key regional festivals and culturally significant celebrations. For example, but not limited to: Pride Festival, Matariki, World of Cultures, Auckland Diwali Festival
If your project recognises the Matariki season or any other significant date, please indicate this in your proposal.
Closing dates and notification of outcome
The call for proposals open on Monday 30 June 2025 and close on 28 July 2025.
The outcome of proposals will be notified by Friday 29 August 2025. If your proposal is successful, you will be invited to an initial meeting to discuss project scope, installation details, project dates, and marketing information. The overall budget, accompanying public programme and associated resources required will also be discussed at this time.
For more information about Māngere Arts Centre - Ngā Tohu o Uenuku visit our Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/mangereartscentre
If you are interested in applying, please complete the form below.