Tāwera at a glance
- What: Nelson’s central community arts hub
- Where: Millers Acre, 77 Trafalgar Street, Nelson
- Opening hours: Monday–Saturday, 10am–5pm
- Entry: Free to visit
- What’s there: Exhibitions, workshops, creative spaces and local arts organisations
- What’s on: See current and upcoming exhibitions at Tāwera
Nelson has a new home for creativity right in the heart of the city.
Tāwera Nelson Arts Hub was officially opened on Friday, 7 August 2026 at Millers Acre, bringing galleries, workshops, studio space and arts organisations together under one roof.
You’ll find it at 77 Trafalgar Street, beside the Nelson Bus Hub and River Kitchen – an easy spot to wander into whether you’re deliberately hunting out some art or simply passing through town.
What Is Tāwera?
Tāwera is Nelson’s new central arts hub, designed as a place where art can be created, exhibited, taught and shared.
The refurbished space includes galleries, workshop and studio areas, offices and flexible spaces for events and collaboration.
It’s not intended to be solely an art gallery. The wider aim is to give local artists, makers, community groups and creative organisations somewhere to connect, while giving the public a prominent place to experience what’s being created around Whakatū Nelson.
And if you’re wondering about the name, Tāwera refers to Venus – the morning star burning on the horizon.
Tāwera, Hiwa and Refinery ArtSpace – What’s the Difference?
There are a few new and old names floating around, so here’s the simple version.
- Tāwera is the place – the new arts hub at Millers Acre.
- Hiwa is the organisation based there. It’s the new name for Arts Council Nelson, which has evolved into Nelson’s independent arts development agency.
Hiwa’s role extends well beyond running exhibitions. It supports and connects the region’s creative sector, including helping artists and community groups with opportunities, funding and development.
Then there’s Refinery ArtSpace.
The Refinery began in Nelson’s former tobacco refinery building on Halifax Street. When that earthquake-prone building closed in 2020, Arts Council Nelson moved the gallery into temporary premises on Hardy Street.
That chapter has now ended. The exhibition programme and community arts activity have moved to Tāwera, with a new name and a much more prominent permanent home.
So, broadly speaking: if you knew and loved the Refinery, Tāwera is where you’ll now want to look.
Why Was the Arts Hub Created?
The idea has been several years in the making.
An independent review commissioned by Nelson City Council in 2022 looked at the city’s community arts facilities and identified a need for a central arts hub.
Further work concluded that Nelson needed more than simply another gallery. The aim became a shared place containing galleries, workshops and offices, while helping different parts of the arts community connect and work together.
The project became part of He Tātai Whetū, Nelson’s Arts and Creativity Strategy.
Why Millers Acre?
Location is a big part of the idea.
Rather than hiding the arts away down a side street, Tāwera occupies the northern end of the Council-owned Millers Acre building at one of the main entrances to central Nelson.
It’s next to the bus hub, alongside River Kitchen and just a short walk from Trafalgar Street.
That visibility is deliberate. Council sees the hub as both an arts facility and part of the wider push to bring more activity into Nelson’s city centre.
For visitors arriving by bus, it may also be one of their first introductions to Nelson’s creative side.
From iSite to Arts Hub
Older Nelsonians will recognise the building for another reason – Tāwera occupies part of the former Nelson iSite visitor centre.
The space underwent a roughly six-month refurbishment, turning the former visitor information centre into a flexible arts facility.
Rather than buying another building, Council chose to reuse the vacant space it already owned at Millers Acre.
What Happens at Tāwera?
The programme will change throughout the year, which is really the point.
Tāwera can host exhibitions, workshops, events, performances and collaborative projects, while also providing working and support spaces for Nelson’s creative community.
Its first public exhibition, Ordinary Wonders, opened on Saturday, 15 August 2026. It filled the new galleries with more than 80 personal stories gathered from people around Te Tauihu, illustrated by artists handed the story. With the artwork ultimately destined to be donated to the person who provided their story.
Future visits are therefore unlikely to look quite the same twice.
You don’t need to be an art buff either. Tāwera has been designed as a public-facing space, so anyone curious about what’s being made around Nelson can call in and have a look. It’s free and easily accessible.
After years of moving around, Nelson’s community arts scene finally has a very visible front door.
Visiting Tāwera
You’ll find Tāwera Nelson Arts Hub at:
77 Trafalgar Street
Millers Acre
Nelson
It’s beside the Nelson Bus Hub and River Kitchen, near the corner of Trafalgar and Halifax Streets. Opening hours are Monday–Saturday, 10am–5pm. Enjoy your visit.