Skip to main content

ArtSplash

Wellington's primary and intermediate school arts festival.

ArtSplash is a week-long festival, held every two years, that celebrates tāmariki and rangatahi on the big stage. Young people aged 5-13 can experience performing in world-class venues in dance and choir concerts, as well as wearable arts showcases and visual art projects. This page contains information for schools, families and ArtSplash Day Out partners.

We have an exciting line-up of opportunities for ArtSplash 2025 with new events and experiences planned, as well as the concerts that schools know and love.

ArtSplash 2025

ArtSplash has a new look for 2025! Check out our our promo video celebrating our new branding.

Are you a registered school or partner? Ask us for a brand pack by emailing events@wcc.govt.nz.

Registrations have now closed for ArtSplash Concerts. Invoices will go out in April.

Registered schools, keep an eye out for the application form for The ArtSplash Day Out, which will open on Wednesday 30 April.

Choir concerts

Āhea | When 5pm and 7.30pm, Monday 25 – Tuesday 26 August 2025
Ki hea | Where Michael Fowler Centre | View on Google Maps

Dance concerts

Āhea | When 5pm and 7.30pm, Wednesday 27 – Thursday 28 August 2025
Ki hea | Where Opera House | View on Google Maps

Site visit for teachers: due to the Opera House being a new venue for ArtSplash, we’re offering teachers the chance to come and view the building on 22 July at 4pm.

Tickets for both concerts will go on sale later in the year. Schools will be limited to two tickets per student performing in each concert. Extra tickets may become available after this. Keep an eye on this page for updates on concerts and ticket sales.

Note: Times and dates are subject to change to accommodate registration numbers. There is a maximum performance cohort of 50 for dance concerts, with no restrictions for choir concerts. Schools may register more than one dance cohort, but these must be separate performances.

Wearable Art Showcase

Schools can also apply to be a part of our Wearable Art Showcase, which will be built into the programmes for the dance and choir concerts.

Teacher workshops

Teacher workshops are coming up on:

Āhea | When 4pm–6pm, Wednesday 9 April 2025
Ki hea | Where Tawa College

Āhea | When 4pm–6pm, Wednesday 7 May 2025
Ki hea | Where Lower Hutt, venue TBC

These workshops are an excellent opportunity for Choir schools to learn the music that they will teach to their students. This is also where the concert repertoire will be announced and where you’ll be able to get your music packs. It’s important that teachers involved in choral concerts for ArtSplash attend at least one of these workshops.

If you cannot attend or have any questions about the workshops, get in touch with our School Coordinator, Cedar at artsplashcoordinator@gmail.com.

Other events

ArtSplash Day Out

Applications for the ArtSplash Day Out open on April 30 to registered schools. Teachers, keep an eye on your emails for an information pack which is set to go out before mid-April. Spaces are limited, so the spots will be given to schools on a first-in, first-served basis.

The ArtSplash Day out is a series of experiences free to schools to apply for. These are suitable for students of different ages and group sizes and may include:

  • Tours around local art galleries and theatres
  • Free concerts and performances for young audiences
  • Educational play workshops
  • Theatre and drama workshops
  • Dance workshops

Schools who apply will be given an ArtSplash Host, who will guide groups around the city.

Confirmations of ArtSplash Day Out will be sent out in mid-June. Registered schools who have paid their fee will be given the first chance to apply, the day will not incur any extra costs.

ArtSplash Schools Decorate Pōneke

The team are currently working on commissioning an art project that any student can engage in during the week of ArtSplash. This project will be based in each concert venue for students to engage in before or after their dress rehearsal. Keep an eye on this page for updates.

Key dates

  • Wednesday 12 February 2025 – concert registrations open
  • Friday 28 March 2025 – concert registrations close
  • Wednesday 9 April 2025 - First Teacher Workshop, 4-6pm
  • Wednesday 30 April 2025 – ArtSplash Day Out applications open
  • Wednesday 7 May 2025 - Second Teacher Workshop, 4-6pm
  • Friday 30 May 2025 – ArtSplash Day Out applications close
  • Tuesday 22 July 2025 – Opera House Site Visit 4-5pm

Who can register?

ArtSplash is open to all primary and intermediate schools within the greater Wellington region.  The fee to apply is $150, which goes towards venue hire and logistics.  Your school will receive an invoice upon successful registration.

Presented by the Council's City Events Team in partnership with ArtSplash.

Check out an image gallery from past ArtSplash events below.

Contact us

For all enquiries relating to registrations or the concerts, contact our school’s coordinator:
Email: artsplashcoordinator@gmail.com

Any other enquiry can be directed to the City Events team.
Email: events@wcc.govt.nz