We’re excited to announce Enjoy will be relocating to 211 Left Bank, Cuba St, Te Aro from April-May 2019.

Established in 2000 as an artist-run initiative, Enjoy is one of Aotearoa’s leading contemporary art spaces and is approaching its twentieth year of operation. In preparation for this milestone, we are reflecting on our history of supporting contemporary art in Aotearoa, as well as how we might best respond to shifts in the local contemporary art landscape and the changing needs of practitioners.

After fifteen years at 147 Cuba Street, Enjoy’s relocation will enable us to continue our mission of nurturing, challenging and supporting contemporary art practitioners and audiences, as we look to the future. With almost triple the floor space of our current location, the ground-level 150 square meter site will give us room to grow and enhance Enjoy’s visibility, accessibility and artistic programme. Just off Cuba Street, Left Bank arcade is an ideal setting for our organisation, close to other galleries, restaurants, small businesses and the Wellington Night Market.

Enjoy’s new home will include spatial design by Whare Timu of First Light Studio architects. Manaakitanga is an important principle of the design approach, which will allow Enjoy to host visitors, artists and our team to a higher standard. It will feature two adjoining gallery spaces and a more versatile environment for curatorial experimentation and audio-visual work. The fit out will also include a dedicated multi-use space and reading room for gatherings, discussion and research. This valuable community resource will enhance Enjoy’s long standing focus on contemporary art publishing and discourse.

211 Left Bank is earthquake strengthened, wheelchair accessible, and fire compliant for a greater number of people than our current space, improving the safety, comfort and accessibility we’re able to offer our audiences.

This exciting project has been made possible with the support of Foundation Partners the Chartwell Trust and Creative New Zealand. Planning for the relocation has been under development for the past 18 months and has involved significant fundraising efforts by Enjoy’s staff and board of trustees. Enjoy has also launched a Boosted campaign to assist us in securing $5,000 towards furnishing a new reading room and multi-use space. 

Click here to support Enjoy's relocation! Any and all contributions are much appreciated.

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Between April and June, Enjoy will embark on a transitional curatorial programme responding to the challenges and possibilities offered by this moment of change. The programme will unfold over approximately 6-8 weeks, with longer-term projects initiated during this period. Activities will include: the staging of public events and discussions; working bees; the design and construction of a gallery fit out and temporary signage; and a reopening exhibition. More details will be announced over the coming months.

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Enjoy’s final exhibition at 1/147 Cuba Street is Dreaming of Lulu, a solo exhibition by Te Whanganui-a-Tara-based artist Christopher Ulutupu. Dreaming of Lulu opens at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday 14 March.

Image: Enjoy staff and board of trustees outside 211 Left Bank. From left: trustee Sonya Lacey, tia tuarua co-chair Melanie Oliver, treasurer Kate Ricketts, trustee Herbee Bartley, manager and curator Sophie Davis, publications and communications manager Simon Gennard, secretary Essi Airisniemi, tia tuarua co-chair Bridget Reweti. Image courtesy of Xander Dixon.