Arts, culture and heritage organisations

Arts Whakatane (formerly the Whakatane Community Arts Council) initiate and support projects that stimulate and strengthen the artistic and cultural life of our community. Arts Whakatane run and support events such as the Summer Arts Festival, the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Exhibitions and national arts tours. 

An umbrella body for groups of painters, potters, spinners, weavers, felters, woodturners, lace makers, rug makers, quilters as well as individuals whose work includes glasswork, photography, doll making, papercraft and sculpture. Facilities include work rooms and gallery space. New members welcome.  

This regional organisation promotes the arts and creative enterprise of the Eastern BOP and is funded by Creative New Zealand Regional Strengths Maurangi Toi. 

The society formed in 1933 and set about the task of collecting information conernings the names, location and history of local pa sites around Whakatane. Reformed in 1952 after being in hiatus during WWII, the society went on to lead the fundraising campaign to build a museum which was eventually opened in 1972. A new musuem and gallery will open in 2012. 

The Whakatane Music Society has a 55 year history of fostering and supporting live music performances for the benefit of Whakatane and the wider Eastern Bay of Plenty. Its yearly schedule of concerts provides opportunities for music lovers to experience the best of local, national and visiting international musicians, including NZSO and Arts on Tour New Zealand.  

Formed in 1957 at Edgecumbe, the Edgecumbe Choir is now based in Whakatane and has about 60 performing members. It aims to encourage the enjoyment and performance of a wide range of choral music from over the last five centuries. The Choir gives at least two public performances each year.  

Ngati Awa Creative Arts 

Theatre Whakatane is respected in the community for the quality theatre it produces on a regular basis throughout the year in the form of musicals and plays. Most are performed in the well-appointed Little Theatre, in the Whakatane War Memorial Complex in Short Street, Whakatane. The group welcomes interested newcomers for participation on and off stage.  

Whakatane Community Orchestra has about 50 orchestra members who come together regularly to perform for concerts. 

The Whakatane Childrens' Music School presents a wonderful opportunity for young people aged 9 - 12 years to learn to play a musical instrument. Established 25 years ago, the Music School is part-funded by the Ministry of Education and provides a very affordable means to what for many becomes a life-long association with music-making.