Welcome to the Whakatāne Summer Art Festival!

Since 1985, Arts Whakatāne has been proudly hosting the renowned Summer Art Festival, an eagerly anticipated highlight on the Whakatāne summer calendar. What started as a single-event art exhibition has blossomed into an extended season of the arts, celebrated each year throughout January.

The festival has become a beloved tradition, captivating the hearts of locals and visitors alike. With its diverse range of activities and events, there's something for everyone, regardless of age or artistic inclination. We believe that art should be accessible to all, which is why most of our events are either free or very affordable, ensuring that creativity knows no boundaries.

Immerse yourself in a vibrant tapestry of artistic experiences. From captivating exhibitions to thought-provoking performances, interactive workshops to engaging talks, the Summer Art Festival offers a kaleidoscope of opportunities to explore, engage, and ignite your passion for the arts.

Discover the extraordinary talents of local artists and performers as they showcase their masterpieces and captivate audiences with their artistic expressions. From traditional to contemporary, the festival embraces the rich tapestry of artistic disciplines, including painting, sculpture, photography, dance, music, theater, and much more.

Beyond the sheer enjoyment of the festival, it serves as a platform to promote cultural exchange, foster artistic growth, and strengthen community bonds. It's a time when creativity takes center stage, inspiring conversations, sparking new connections, and leaving lasting impressions on the hearts and minds of all who participate.