Arts, crafts and culture
Rotorua has a thriving arts and cultural community that’s continually evolving.
Local Maori have been welcoming visitors and sharing their arts and cultural traditions for more than 160 years. These traditions continue today and superb examples of traditional Maori carving and weaving can be found throughout the city’s gardens as well as public and private buildings.
However Maori art, craft and culture is not all Rotorua is renowned for; the city also has a flourishing community of contemporary artists, craftspeople, performers and musicians. So take a look at the art works of Rotorua’s resident artists, wonder through the many art galleries, visit artists’ studios that are part of the local Arts Trail (see PDF below), and participate in some of the art and cultural events that add to the soul and vibrancy of Rotorua as a city.
Rotorua’s major annual festivals and art events include:
Music/opera:
Opera in the Pa (January)
Unison Concerto (July)
Rotorua Aria (November)
Music/contemporary
Mardi Gras (Dec 31)
Jambalaya Festival of Music and Dance (January)
Blues Street Festival (Jan/Feb)
Lakeside concert (February)
Ragmuffin Reggae Festival (February)
Performance
Te Ihi Te Wehi – Biennial Festival of the Performing Arts (provisional dates for next festival, March 6-22, 2009)
Drama/film
Shakespeare Outside Festival (Jan/Feb)
Magna Short Film Festival (Nov/Dec)
Art
Rotorua Museum – permanent and changing exhibitions both local and touring
RAVE – Rotorua Arts Village Experience - small exhibitions of local work
Click here for a list of Rotorua art galleries
Click here for all Rotorua events
Click here for latest Toi Rotorua arts newsletter (April 2008)
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Rotorua Arts Trail
Launched in August 2008, The Volcanic Heartland: Our story through public art booklet is a guide to public art on the Rotorua and Taupo region - and some of the artists who created them.
Much of the art depicts the contributions, deeds and exploits of the people who helped shape our region from early Maori explorers to European settlers like Camille Malfroy and adventurers like Jean Batten.
The $5 guide can be purchased locally from City Focus, Rotorua Museum, Tourism Rotorua Information Centre and RAVE (Rotorua Arts Village Experience).
Rotorua's Official Travel and Information Centre.
For all travel enquiries and bookings click here.
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