Art
Explore art and art history resources from Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.
Featured
Resources and classification
How to explore our collection for information on artists and art styles.
Art resources in our collection
Books
Art resources
Art eResources
Art eResources
AHR net
Art History Research Net provides full text access to a range of late 19th and early 20th century art, architecture and design publications.
Find New Zealand Artists
A comprehensive index of New Zealand artist names that directs researchers to further information sources.
Creativebug
Get making with Creativebug. Access thousands of online art and craft video classes for free.
Australian Art Sales Digest
Art market information for Australian and New Zealand including past, current and forthcoming auctions, market statistics and news.
Carter's Price Guide to Antiques
Prices of antiquities, antiques, collectables, retro, vintage and 20th century design.
Māori art
Waka toi – Contemporary Māori art
This page highlights established and up and coming contemporary Māori artists working in different media.
Toi Māori – Traditional Māori art
Resources about traditional Māori arts such as whakairo (carving) and raranga (weaving).
Waka toi – Contemporary Māori art
This page highlights established and up and coming contemporary Māori artists working in different media.
Toi Māori – Traditional Māori art
Resources about traditional Māori arts such as whakairo (carving) and raranga (weaving).
Events
Art blog posts
Picture Me Exhibition - New Brighton Library, part of a series
Jan 21st, All day
Celebrate the power of children's books to shape identity and foster international connections, with work by International and NZ artists.
Picture Me Exhibition - Upper Riccarton Library, part of a series
Jan 21st, All day
Celebrate the power of children's books to shape identity and foster international connections, with work by International and NZ artists.
Art on the Rooftop - Charcoal and Pastel FULLY BOOKED
Jan 23rd | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Join us for summer art sessions and get inspired by the views from Tūranga, or try a still life. $5.85 per session, materials supplied.
Art on the Rooftop - Watercolours FULLY BOOKED
Jan 26th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Join us for summer art sessions and get inspired by the views from Tūranga, or try a still life. $5.85 per session, materials supplied.
Picture Me Exhibition - New Brighton Library, part of a series
Jan 21st, All day
Celebrate the power of children's books to shape identity and foster international connections, with work by International and NZ artists.
Picture Me Exhibition - Upper Riccarton Library, part of a series
Jan 21st, All day
Celebrate the power of children's books to shape identity and foster international connections, with work by International and NZ artists.
Art on the Rooftop - Charcoal and Pastel FULLY BOOKED
Jan 23rd | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Join us for summer art sessions and get inspired by the views from Tūranga, or try a still life. $5.85 per session, materials supplied.
Art on the Rooftop - Watercolours FULLY BOOKED
Jan 26th | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Join us for summer art sessions and get inspired by the views from Tūranga, or try a still life. $5.85 per session, materials supplied.
Booklists
Booklists
Best of 2021: Children's Nonfiction about Art and Activities
A selection of recommended titles for kids added to Christchurch City Libraries in 2021 about art, artists, creative activities and cooking.
Illustrated Biographies - Artists and Art
Graphic novels focusing on seminal artists and art movements - striking illustrations, unique glimpses into the lives of important artists.
Non-fiction - Art Appreciation
Find out what motivates and inspires artists. Discover the creative process behind the works and learn how to take time to appreciate them.
Best of 2021: Children's Nonfiction about Art and Activities
A selection of recommended titles for kids added to Christchurch City Libraries in 2021 about art, artists, creative activities and cooking.
Illustrated Biographies - Artists and Art
Graphic novels focusing on seminal artists and art movements - striking illustrations, unique glimpses into the lives of important artists.
Non-fiction - Art Appreciation
Find out what motivates and inspires artists. Discover the creative process behind the works and learn how to take time to appreciate them.
Art pages and resources
Art resources
Public art in Christchurch
Learn more about public art in Christchurch. SCAPE Public Art Season is on from 23 November 2024 to 15 February 2025.
Street Art
Street art is a notable feature of the urban landscape in Christchurch, Find out more about local street art and events.
Crafts and Collecting
Explore resources to improve your craft skills. If you enjoy collecting, we have guidebooks, catalogues and online resources to help.
Poster collection: Rock music
Local band posters digitised from the libraries' ephemera collection.
Gordon Gee botanical illustrations
A collection of 296 of Gordon Gee’s watercolour and line illustrations from the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Archives.
Blog posts
Art blog posts
Craft Snippets: Landscape painting with Ira Mitchell
Sally reports back from a Craft Snippets session with local artist Ira Mitchell.
Acrobatics on sheep sculptures, FESTA: Picturing Canterbury
Impromptu acrobatics on sheep sculptures during the FEStival of Transitional Architecture, 2014. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Sight Lines: Women and art in Aotearoa: WORD Chch 2024
A panel discussion on the book Sight Lines, chaired by Dr Barb Garrie, with Hanahiva Rose, Chloe Cull, and Kirsty Baker.
21 Disraeli Street: Picturing Canterbury
Artwork on the exterior of Dight House (21 Disraeli Street), Addington, 2019. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Craft Snippets: Landscape painting with Ira Mitchell
Sally reports back from a Craft Snippets session with local artist Ira Mitchell.
Acrobatics on sheep sculptures, FESTA: Picturing Canterbury
Impromptu acrobatics on sheep sculptures during the FEStival of Transitional Architecture, 2014. An image from Canterbury Stories.
Sight Lines: Women and art in Aotearoa: WORD Chch 2024
A panel discussion on the book Sight Lines, chaired by Dr Barb Garrie, with Hanahiva Rose, Chloe Cull, and Kirsty Baker.
21 Disraeli Street: Picturing Canterbury
Artwork on the exterior of Dight House (21 Disraeli Street), Addington, 2019. An image from Canterbury Stories.
