Waiheke Community Art Gallery

What Waiheke Community Art Gallery does

Waiheke Community Art Gallery (legally Waiheke Community Art Gallery Inc, also trading as Waiheke Art Gallery and Te Whare Taonga o Waiheke) is an incorporated not-for-profit society established in 1995 and headquartered at 2 Korora Road, Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand. It operates three exhibition spaces showcasing more than 100 local artists alongside national and international exhibitions, and runs a portfolio of programmes including the biennial Sculpture on the Gulf, the annual Walker & Hall Waiheke Art Award and Small Sculpture Prize, the Waiheke House Tour, Open Studios Waiheke, an Artist in Residence programme, and a permanent collection that includes the Kurt von Meier bequest. Supporting offerings include a retail shop (online and physical) selling handcrafted artworks, ceramics, jewellery, prints, and gifts, plus educational programmes such as the Wayfind Creative professional development course and the NZ Diploma in Arts & Design (Ceramics) delivered in partnership with Otago Polytechnic.

The gallery is funded through a mix of grants (Auckland Council, Foundation North, NZ Lottery Grants Board), donations, memberships and patron programmes (Bronze/Silver/Gold tiers for Sculpture on the Gulf), ticketed events (workshops $25–$255, House Tour VIP $175, patron events $195), exhibition entry fees ($55 for award submissions), and shop sales with a 10% member discount. Its technology footprint is modest: a website with integrated e-commerce, ticketing, and membership management, plus DPS Payment Express for PCI-compliant payment processing and a My ART integration for collector instalment financing. Distribution relies on a physical gallery open seven days a week, an online shop with domestic and international shipping, and cross-promotional partnerships with Fullers and SeaLink ferry operators and several local Waiheke wineries.

The organisation employs approximately 11 people and is led by Director Fiona Blanchard. Its customer base spans tourists and day visitors (the largest segment by volume), local Waiheke residents, exhibiting artists, and art collectors, with no single end-customer materially driving revenue; however, institutional funder concentration — particularly Auckland Council, whose annual grant rose from NZD $12,000 in 2023 to NZD $100,000 in 2025 — is a meaningful dependency.

Name

Waiheke Community Art Gallery

Legal name

Waiheke Community Art Gallery Inc

Website

https://waihekeartgallery.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Waiheke Community Art Gallery is an incorporated not-for-profit society on Waiheke Island, NZ, operating three exhibition spaces with 100+ local artists, a retail shop, education programmes, and biennial events including Sculpture on the Gulf, funded by grants, memberships, and patronage.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Art Gallery

NAICS

Museums (712110), Art Dealers (459920), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)

akta.pro primary industry

Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts & Crafts Workshops (Painting, Pottery, Ceramics, Sculpture) (THAJAKAA), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG), Art Museums (THAJADAA)

Keywords

• Community art gallery
• Art exhibitions
• Art education programmes
• Artist residencies
• Art gallery retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Waiheke Island

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Gallery Shop Sales: Sale of artworks, handcrafted items, books, ceramics, jewellery, prints, sculptures, apparel, homewares, and gifts. Gallery members receive 10% discount.
2. Membership and Patronage: Annual membership providing benefits including shop discounts, event invites, and newsletter access. Patron tiers for Sculpture on the Gulf include Bronze ($1,000-$2,500), Silver ($5,000), and Gold ($10,000) with various benefits.
3. Event Tickets: Revenue from ticketed events including artist talks, workshops, film screenings, and special events like the House Tour. Ticket prices vary from free to $195 per event.
4. Donations and Grants: Relies on donations, patronage, memberships, partnerships and grants from Auckland Council, Foundation North, NZ Lottery Grants Board, and other funders to support operations.
5. Exhibition Entry Fees: Artist submission fees for awards like Walker & Hall Waiheke Art Award ($55 entry fee) and Small Sculpture Prize ($55 entry fee).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Waiheke Community Art Gallery operates three exhibition spaces on Waiheke Island showcasing the work of more than 100 local artists alongside national and international exhibitions. It runs a physical and online gallery shop selling handcrafted artworks, ceramics, jewellery, prints and gifts, and delivers ticketed artist talks, workshops, an Artist in Residence programme, the biennial Sculpture on the Gulf outdoor exhibition, the Walker & Hall Art Award, the Small Sculpture Prize, and tertiary education partnerships.

Product overview

Waiheke Community Art Gallery operates as a not-for-profit arts organization offering a diverse portfolio of products and services centered on exhibitions, retail, education, and community engagement. The core offering is the exhibitions programme featuring rotating shows across three gallery spaces showcasing over 100 local artists. Supporting this are the gallery shop selling handcrafted artworks and merchandise, a comprehensive events and workshops calendar, and educational programmes including the NZ Diploma in Arts & Design (Ceramics) partnership with Otago Polytechnic and the Wayfind Creative professional development programme. Annual signature events include Open Studios Waiheke, the House Tour, and the biennial Sculpture on the Gulf and Artist in Residence programmes. The gallery also manages a membership programme offering benefits including shop discounts and event invitations. These offerings collectively serve art enthusiasts, collectors, residents, and visitors to Waiheke Island.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Exhibitions Programme Rotating exhibitions of local, national and international artists across three exhibition spaces, including solo shows, group exhibitions, themed exhibitions, and the annual Walker & Hall Art Award and Small Sculpture Prize.
• Gallery Shop Online and in-gallery retail shop featuring handcrafted artworks, ceramics, glass, jewellery, prints, sculptures, books, apparel, homewares and gifts from Waiheke and New Zealand artists, with a 10% discount for members.
• Events and Workshops Calendar of ticketed events including artist talks, life drawing, ceramics, photography, woodcut printing workshops, film screenings and educational programmes for adults, families and seasonal holiday programmes.
• Wayfind Creative Programme Professional development programme for Waiheke creatives providing workshops on finance, marketing, project management, funding and business skills, with online learning modules, mentorship and community networking.
• NZ Diploma in Arts & Design (Ceramics) Tertiary-level ceramics diploma delivered in partnership with Otago Polytechnic. One-year full-time or two-year part-time distance programme with practical classes at Waiheke, led by Penny Ericson with support from Peter Collis and Brendan Adams.
• Artist in Residence Programme Biennial residency hosting visiting artists on Waiheke Island, providing studio space, public talks, workshops and opportunities to engage with the local community.
• Waiheke House Tour Annual architectural house tour showcasing Waiheke Island's distinctive homes, including private residences with architectural significance and VIP events featuring industry professionals such as Grand Designs presenters.
• Open Studios Waiheke Annual island-wide event featuring over 30 participating artist studios and galleries, with a weekend pass and map, and a Sunday Soiree wine, cheese and silent auction at the gallery.
• Sculpture on the Gulf Biennial outdoor sculpture exhibition along Waiheke's coastal walkway featuring works by selected artists, supported by a patron programme with Bronze, Silver and Gold contribution tiers.
• Membership Programme Annual membership tiers (individual, friend, patron) providing benefits including event invitations, a weekly newsletter, a 10% shop discount, recognition, and additional patron benefits such as private events and artist connections.
• Waiheke Art Map Self-guided art exploration map highlighting local artists' studios and galleries across Waiheke Island, available for collection at the gallery and included with Open Studios weekend passes.
• Walker & Hall Waiheke Art Award Annual art award and exhibition for 2D artwork sponsored by Walker & Hall, open to New Zealand residents with an entry fee of $55 and a gala awards ceremony.
• Small Sculpture Prize Annual sculpture prize and exhibition with works selected by a panel of judges, accompanied by a $55 entry fee.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Waiheke Local BoardcoreOthersLocal government body providing core funding and support to the gallery. Recently increased funding to $100,000 as recommended by Auckland Council.
• Auckland CouncilcoreOthersPrimary local government funder supporting gallery operations and programmes.
• Foundation NorthcoreOthersMajor philanthropic funder supporting community programmes including Wayfind Creative.
• NZ Lottery Grants BoardcoreOthersNational lottery funding body supporting community initiatives.
• Te Puni KōkiriminorOthersMāori public policy agency advising on Government-Māori relationships.
• Walker & HallflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of annual Walker & Hall Waiheke Art Award, one of the gallery's flagship events showcasing two-dimensional art.
• Perpetual GuardianflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Small Sculpture Prize and Sculpture on the Gulf biennial exhibition. Premier provider of estate planning services.
• FullerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading ferry operator to Waiheke Island, provides bus services on island. Key transportation partner for bringing visitors to gallery.
• SeaLinkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDrive-on ferry service to Waiheke and Great Barrier Island, supporting visitor access to gallery.
• Te Motu VineyardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWaiheke winery partner supporting gallery programmes.
• Cable Bay VineyardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWaiheke winery hosting Sculpture on the Gulf opening events.
• Waiheke Wine CentreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal wine retailer and gallery supporter.
• Postage Stamp WinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWaiheke winery providing bubbles for Sculpture on the Gulf opening events.
• Frenchman's Hill EstateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWaiheke winery supporter of gallery initiatives.
• Allpress Olive GrovesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWaiheke olive oil producer supporting gallery as local artisan business.
• All ManorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal home improvement company sponsor of House Tour events.
• DEPOTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner delivering Wayfind Creative programme for Waiheke creatives, providing professional development, mentorship, and workshops.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Dowse Art Museum: Lower Hutt public art museum with rotating exhibitions, education programmes, and a permanent collection. Comparable to WAG as a regional NZ public gallery offering exhibitions, workshops, and community programming.
• Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki: New Zealand's largest art museum, offering rotating exhibitions, a permanent collection, and educational programmes. Comparable to Waiheke Community Art Gallery as a regional art-museum/gallery operator in NZ, though at substantially larger scale.
• City Gallery Wellington: Wellington's contemporary art gallery presenting curated exhibitions, public programmes, and artist talks. Directly comparable to WAG as a non-collecting contemporary art gallery with exhibitions, events, and a community/education focus.
• Gus Fisher Gallery: Auckland contemporary art gallery presenting curated exhibitions and artist projects. Comparable to WAG as a small-to-mid-scale NZ art gallery with exhibition programming and community engagement focus.
• Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū: Major South Island art gallery with permanent collection, exhibitions, and education programmes. Comparable as a regional NZ public art gallery with permanent collection, ticketed events, and museum-style operations.
• Gow Langsford Gallery: Leading commercial contemporary art gallery with multiple Auckland locations representing prominent NZ artists. Comparable to WAG as a primary-market NZ art gallery, though operating as a commercial dealer rather than a non-profit.
• Mahara Gallery: Community art gallery in Waikanae serving the Kāpiti Coast with exhibitions, education programmes, and a permanent collection. Highly comparable to WAG as a smaller regional NZ community art gallery with a similar operating model.
• Melanie Roger Gallery: Auckland contemporary art gallery representing established NZ artists. Comparable as a NZ art gallery with exhibitions and artist representation, though operating as a commercial gallery rather than a non-profit.

Broad incumbents

• Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand): New Zealand's national museum with extensive art and cultural exhibitions. Comparable as a publicly funded NZ cultural institution with permanent collections, exhibitions, and educational programmes, but at a national scale.

Others

• Art+Object: New Zealand art auction house and object dealer. Comparable as a NZ art-market intermediary serving collectors and artists, though operating a different business model (auction rather than gallery exhibition).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/170784555261
• Instagraminstagram.com/waihekeartgallery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waiheke-community-art-gallery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Waiheke Community Art Gallery