The 10 Best Art Galleries in Taranaki Region, North Island

The Mokau Museum and Art Gallery highlights the rich and varied history of the region surrounding the museum as well as showcasing artists from the Waikato and Taranaki region.

The world is full of amazingly talented artists and designers. People that transform paints and oils, metals and woods, fabrics and clay into sculptures, jewellery, ceramics and works of art. Quirky Fox works with a carefully curated selection of New Zealand and international artists to bring these pieces of art from their studio into your home.

Welcome to a place of art and ideas. Expect the unexpected at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, showing contemporary art since 1970. Exhibitions change out every four months so there's always something new to experience. The new wing of the Govett-Brewster, the Len Lye Centre, showcases New Zealand-born artist Len Lye's ideas and artworks in film, sculpture, painting and photography. It also shows work by artists whose practice is related to Len Lye's. The boutique 60-seat cinema screens international film festivals, experimental, arthouse and cult movies, as well as a New Zealand cinema, symposia and lectures. Open seven days, 10am – 5pm (+ Thursday night films), the entrance to the art gallery is on Queen St. Entry is $15. Be sure to save some time for the Govett-Brewster Shop where you can find unique gifts of books, stationery, homewares, jewellery and cool kids’ stuff.

Real Tart is one of New Zealand's leading community art galleries showcasing the best of Taranaki art. Visitors to the gallery enjoy a variety of high calibre works which are both original and affordable. Many of Taranaki's top artists show their works in the restored and edgy former warehouse which is home to a impressive selection of paintings,sculptures,pottery,photography,jewellery and craft. Real Tart can be found just behind Puke Ariki museum.

LUMEN Studios & Gallery was founded in 2019. LUMEN is an artist-run space based at the old Cheese Factory in Tataraimaka, Taranaki. Resident artists include Teresa Goodin (Artist & Alchemist) and Alice Cowdrey (Felter & Maker). LUMEN hosts exhibitions showcasing artists and makers from the Taranaki region and workshops with a focus on creativity and wellbeing. LUMEN is located on Surf Highway 45, 20km from New Plymouth, 6km south of Oakura and 6km north of Okato. LUMEN is nestled in an idyllic valley beside the Timaru Stream surrounded by native forest and exotic gardens. A plant nursery and sculpture trail are also located on site. The site is a venue for annual outdoor festivals and other community events.