Comprising of 22 heritage buildings, the Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora was originally the city’s university, Canterbury College. Later in the 1970’s, the university relocated to the suburb of Ilam and is now called University of Canterbury.
The most famous graduate is Ernest Rutherford who won a Nobel prize for splitting the atom. He is sometimes referrred to as father of nuclear physics. Rutherford's rooms (known as Rutherford's Den) are located in the Clock Tower have been preserved at the Arts Centre.
The Arts Centre was significantly damaged in the earthquake but the buildings are in the process of being restored. It is now a hub for markets, entertainment and artisans.
https://www.artscentre.org.nz/about-us/history/
https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/arts-centre-christchurch/
Photo: Bernard Spragg
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