Cultural Precinct builds on history
 The Cultural Precinct, running from the Cathedral in the Square to the Museum on Rolleston Avenue and from Christ's College to the Provincial Chambers on Durham Street, is the realisation of a vision more than 150 years old.
Made up of institutions that represented higher learning in the arts, religion and science, by the early 1870s the "Gothic" heart of the central city of Christchurch was the perfect expression of more than 10 years experience in colonial development by Edward Gibbon Wakefield and his plans for an ideal settlement, far from the mother country of England.
Most were built between 1870 and 1882, including the Cathedral in the Square, Canterbury Museum, the Canterbury Society of Arts (now CoCA), Canterbury College and Christchurch Boy's High School (now included in the Arts Centre of Christchurch).
Their presence in the central city was not only an expression of the will of a group of individuals inspired by moral values of colonisation, but also reflected the development of well-established economic infrastructures (port facilities, roads and rail) that contributed in the early- and mid-1870s to the success of Canterbury's economy and distinguished the region as the country's most progressive province.
The development of the educational sector included Canterbury Museum's opening in 1870, the occupation by Canterbury (university) College of its first permanent building in 1877 alongside Boys' High and the establishment of the Canterbury School of Art in 1882 on Worcester Street. This was accompanied by an equally significant religious and cultural milestone with the completion of the nave and tower of the Anglican Cathedral in the Square in 1881.
In 2006 the Cultural Precinct retains the Gothic Revival architecture of the 19th century as well as the capacity to entertain, inspire, amuse and enthral. This cityscape of unrivalled natural and architectural beauty -- 19th century buildings, majestic trees, extensive gardens, interesting bridges and meandering paths -- now provides a striking backdrop for a vibrant scene of ever-changing arts, cultural and heritage activities.
- For up-to-date information about what's on in the Cultural Precinct, look on the web at www.culturalprecinct.co.nz
- The Cultural Precinct Partners are Christchurch
Cathedral, Christchurch I-SITE Visitor Centre, Christchurch Tramway, Our City O-Tautahi, Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings, Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCA), Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, The Arts Centre, The Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum and Christ's College
|
