We want your artwork in our new youth Hub - Te Tai Ohinga!
We are on the lookout for original art made by young people to feature in Te Tai Ohinga, Wellington’s new central city youth hub.
You can learn more about the project by visiting Te Tai Ohinga’s Instagram or the Wellington City Council Website.
Submissions close 11.59pm 31 July 2024
The Opportunity
Artwork Display: Five pieces of artwork created by rangatahi aged 13-18 will be selected by a panel of young people to be printed and displayed in Te Tai Ohinga. Each selected artist will receive a $200 Prezzy card to acknowledge their contribution.
Digital/Physical Collection: All submitted artwork may be featured in a digital and or physical collection celebrating your artistic talents, stories and contributions that have helped bring Te Tai Ohinga to life.
Getting Inspired
The name Te Tai Ohinga was gifted by Kura Moeahu, Chairman Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa and we encourage you to turn to this as inspiration for your piece.
"Te Tai refers to the tides of the sea, and Ohinga is a word referencing young people which is derived from Taranaki, speaking to the opportunity for rangatahi in Pōneke to make a resurgence now that a safe space has been created for them to hang out. It also captures the idea that there will always be young people in Pōneke, just as the tide will always ebb and flow." - Kura Moeahu.
The meeting rooms in Te Tai Ohinga also take inspiration from te ao Māori through low and high tide, and, waxing and waning moon which also tie into the theme of the space:
"The tides high and low, the moon waxing and waning, speaks to duality, there cannot be one without the other, and are metaphors for real life experience of every human who goes through teenage hood, with high tides come lows, with bad phases come good." -Tama Ale Samoa
While designing Te Tai Ohinga, you told us how important it was to feel represented in the space. We are actively seeking artwork that celebrates the rich diversity of our community and especially welcome pieces that represent stories from the following communities:
- Māori
- Pasifika
- LGBTQIA+
- Disabled
- Refugee/Migrant
Entry Requirements
To be eligible you will be between 13-18 years old and live in or have a strong connection to Pōneke Wellington. Your piece can take any style, it can be painted, drawn, photographed – or any other method that inspires you.
Submissions are accepted through the following online form (found at the bottom of this page). Submissions can be made by individuals or groups. Work should ideally be A2 (42.0 x 59.4 cm), and a minimum size of A3 (29.7 cm x 42 cm).
You will be asked to upload your piece to the form (PDF format preferred). This could be a scan of your work or original digital piece. Alternately you can drop physical entries to Te Pokapū Hapori (105 Manners Street) during opening hours.
Conditions to note
Permission for Use: By submitting your artwork, you are giving permission for your art to be printed and displayed in Te Tai Ohinga. This includes both framed works displayed in the space the potential and inclusion in printed or digital material that may be distributed across various council facilities. Full credit will be given to you as the artist.
Display Duration: Artwork displayed in the physical space may be replaced or removed after 12 months.
Artist Recognition: The artists behind the five pieces selected for display will each receive a $200 Prezzy card to acknowledge their time and contribution to the space.
Celebration of Community Art: The primary aim of this project is to celebrate the art of young people. All entries that meet the guidelines and are deemed appropriate will be included in the coffee table book, along with your preferred name and age.
Please ensure you understand these conditions before submitting your work. If you have any questions, about these or any part of the process please feel free to email communitysupport@wcc.govt.nz.
If you are under 18 please speak to your guardian prior to participating.
What happens next?
After submissions closed the five pieces of art to be displayed will be selected by a panel of rangatahi, other art submitted may be included in a digital and/or physical collection. We will contact you via email with an update and next steps.