CoCA supports artists across the breadth of contemporary artmaking. While we prioritise support for artists who have a connection to Ōtautahi, our aim is to empower artists from across Aotearoa to create and share work with Waitaha communities that deepen connections to our place and our stories.

CoCA's vision is to create a thriving home for art and culture in Waitaha, igniting connections between artists and community.

Programming Group

CoCA’s volunteer and artist-led Programming Group is made up of experienced Waitaha-based artists across a wide range of disciplines. Together, they contribute to our Open Call for Proposals process, and programme exhibitions for the year ahead.

The Programming Group itself is recruited every two years via an open call to ensure equitable representation across disciplines. The Programming Group work to a framework that prioritises Waitaha artists.

Open Call for Proposals

Each August, CoCA puts out an Open Call for Proposals for artists from across the motu to put forward exhibition proposals. A range of emerging and established artists are selected to showcase work in CoCA’s Ō Papa gallery. Around 6 exhibitions are mounted each year, including solo and group shows.

Our artist-led Programming Group review applications and invite artists to exhibit. Artists are supported by the Programming Group and CoCA team in the lead up to, and throughout, each exhibition.

All open call opportunities, including Emerging Curators and Two Walls mural, are promoted via our socials.

Emerging Curators Programme

CoCA’s yearly Emerging Curators Programme supports an early-career curator either living in Ōtautahi, or who whakapapa to Waitaha, to curate a group show.

This initiative is supported by CoCA staff and our artist-led Programming Group, and enables a curator to learn new skills, and engage further with the arts community.

CoCA puts out an open call for applications each February. The programme is made possible with the support of Christchurch City Council.

 

Public Programming

Each exhibition is accompanied by a range of public programmes delivered by experts from within the local creative community. This may include hands-on workshops, panel discussions, artist talks, field trips and performances, all designed to welcome in our community, and encourage participation.

- Events

Two Walls Mural

Every two years, CoCA commissions a local artist to design a striking new artwork that bridges the outdoor courtyard at CoCA’s entrance and an interior wall of Lux cafe. The selected artist becomes part of a continuum of artists creating temporary site specific works that welcome people to our building.

The latest mural, Breaking Reflections, Interior/Exterior is by Ōtautahi artist and designer Nick Lowry, installed in 2025.

Documentation

CoCA champions a wider arts ecology. This includes commissioning emerging writers, photographers and designers to work with artists to document an exhibition and produce a publication which provides a vital record for exhibiting artists.

Support Aotearoa Artists

CoCA is a charitable Trust, and relies on support from within our community. If you connect to our mahi, and would like to champion contemporary Aotearoa artists, we would welcome your support. Please contact our Partnerships Manager, Paula Granger paula@coca.org.nz or on 021 0249 7799.

Support Us

Volunteering at CoCA

We look for enthusiastic volunteers aged 18+ to assist us meet and greet visitors in our Ō Papa gallery for half day shifts, or to help with exhibition openings and events. You don’t need gallery experience or in-depth knowledge of art, instead our volunteers have a love of art, are reliable, willing to learn, and computer literate with strong communication skills. If interested, please email info@coca.org.nz with some information about yourself, and why you would like to volunteer.

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