City Gallery Wellington calls for proposals for major new public sculpture

Wednesday, 12 November 2025

City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi has announced an open call for a new public artwork as part of its return to its heritage home in Te Ngākau Civic Square.

The City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi Sculpture Terrace Commission is inviting New Zealand-born or based artists to submit proposals for a major outdoor sculpture to be installed on Harris St in Wellington.

“We are so excited to have a new site for new art. The sculpture offers a rare opportunity to create a contemporary landmark that will engage thousands of pedestrians. It will be visible from Harris St as well as from inside the gallery itself. This will be a new view for Wellington,” said curator Megan Dunn, who is managing the project.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for Aotearoa artists, and we encourage you to apply with your concept now. We are looking forward to being surprised and delighted,” Dunn said.

The gallery’s façade has previously featured works by artists including Bill Culbert and Ralph Hotere, Yayoi Kusama and Ronnie van Hout, whose giant hand Quasi became a local landmark.

“This site is not the rooftop where Quasi once famously perched as a beacon of love and dissent. The new site is an unusual location that has always been intended for a contemporary artwork — and that time is now,” said Dunn.

Applications close February 2, 2026, with shortlisted artists announced in June. The project is supported by the Wellington City Council Public Art Fund and the Stout Trust.

More information: citygallery.org.nz/sculpture-terrace-commission