The Dowse Art Museum and Dowse Square
About the Business
Welcome to The Dowse Art Museum and Dowse Square, located at 45 Laings Road in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. Our institution is a unique blend of art gallery, cafe, establishment, food, museum, point of interest, and tourist attraction all in one.
At The Dowse, we strive to create a thriving centre of artistic excellence, and your contributions play a vital role in supporting our mission. With your help, we can continue to showcase and promote the best of contemporary art, both locally and internationally.
We offer a range of learning resources tailored to different audiences, including teachers, teens, kids, and whānau (family). Whether you're an art enthusiast looking to expand your knowledge or an educator seeking engaging materials for your students, we have something for everyone.
One of the highlights of our institution is the pātaka whakairo, a beautifully carved storehouse. This remarkable piece of history is considered one of the Hutt Valley's greatest treasures. Commissioned by Wiremu Tako Ngātata and built in 1856, it was expertly crafted by Ngāti Tūwharetoa carver Te Heuheu Tukino IV (Horonuku). This storehouse is not only a symbol of Māori culture but also a significant part of the Māori king movement. It is the only one of its kind that has survived intact, making it a truly remarkable artifact.
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Whether you're a local resident or a visitor to Lower Hutt, we invite you to immerse yourself in the rich artistic offerings of The Dowse Art Museum and Dowse Square. With its diverse range of exhibitions, the cozy cafe serving delicious food, and the historical significance of the pātaka whakairo, our institution promises a memorable experience for all.
Photos
Location & Phone number
45 Laings Road, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt, Wellington 5010, New Zealand
Hours open
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday:
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday:
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday:
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday:
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Reviews
"Current big show: it was really good to see so many things I remembered from many visits over the years. I think it would be a really good idea to repeat a grand showing like this every 7-8 years, so that we can see again the images/objects that we enjoy but that disappear after an exhibition closes. I know researchers can find them on a catalogue and ask to see them, but the public don't usually do that!"
"Love the Dowse. Always changing, beautifully themed spaces. The cafe is pretty good too!"
"'Rainscreen' by @athfieldarchitects & artist Simon Morris is a bold urban façade of aluminium, giving @thedowse a distinctive visual identity - with thousands of diamond-shaped perforations creating ever-changing shadows. But we didn't realise until recently that the design also contributes to the energy efficiency of the building, with moveable panels designed to manage solar heat! In fact, the extensive 2006 makeover of our 1971 Dowse Art Museum is part of a larger vision of sustainability & a happy hybrid of artistic expression with eco-friendly design - including 3kilowatt solar panels & 'Rock Store', the first heating & cooling system of its kind in NZ, using Wairarapa river stones to hold in the heat or cold."
"We went to The Dowse yesterday for the first time - recommended to us as a must-do in the Wellington region by friends and I would definitely agree with them! The staff were very helpful, pointing us to the best route to experience the Dowse, and also holding our umbrella (and making sure we didn't leave it behind!). The exhibitions were interesting, fun, humourous, and thought-provoking. It was a wonderful mix of visceral experiences (Chromaflage, and My River Goes With Me) as well as our history and aspirations for the future (Nuku Tewhatewha, and Māori Moving Image ki Te Awakairangi) and just a general good old giggle (Droop). Really enjoyable, and appreciated the two EV chargers in the carpark too."
"Really nice, modern and spacious museum. Truly enjoyed "Terminus", the virtual reality exhibition that mixes kinetic art and a surreal trip experience. Totally recommend it."
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