Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre

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Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre Firing the imagination and opening minds to create an expanded sense of what is possible. Tickets are available online or at the Govett-Brewster Shop.
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The Govett Brewster Art Gallery is New Zealand’s museum of contemporary art. The latest addition to the Govett-Brewster – the Len Lye Centre – is New Zealand’s first institution dedicated to a single artist, the pioneering filmmaker and kinetic sculptor, Len Lye. With its curved exterior walls of mirror-like stainless steel, the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre is the country’s first example of destination architecture linked to contemporary art and is one of the country’s most iconic buildings. Experience innovative and provocative work by New Zealand and international artists, an ever-changing exhibition programme, talks about the art, tours and art making. The 62-seat Len Lye Centre Cinema is a welcoming environment for audiences to experience a curated selection of the best in arthouse cinema, alongside international film festivals, experimental and cult films, and regular screenings of Len Lye documentaries. For something a little different, the Govett-Brewster Shop presents a thoughtfully selected collection of contemporary design and objects of inspiration, jewellery, Len Lye and Govett-Brewster merchandise, books, gift cards, cool kids' stuff and limited edition collaborations mean you’ll definitely need to add extra time to your visit. Monica’s Eatery, next door to the Govett-Brewster, is an international art cafe inspired by the life and spirit of Monica Brewster, a globetrotter even before the golden age of air travel and founding patron of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. Open seven days for breakfast, lunch and drinks

Planning a staycation this Labour Day long weekend? Make the gallery part of your plans.- Explore inspiring exhibitions-...
21/10/2026

Planning a staycation this Labour Day long weekend? Make the gallery part of your plans.
- Explore inspiring exhibitions
- Catch a film at the Len Lye Centre Cinema
- Discover unique gifts, books and locally made treasures in our shop
- Snap a photo with our iconic mirror-finish exterior

Whether you're hosting visitors or enjoying a relaxing weekend close to home, there's something for everyone to discover.

Open daily, 10am-5pm. Plan your visit today.
https://govettbrewster.com/visit/plan-your-visit

British and Irish Film Festival | 28 Oct - 11 Nov 2026Celebrate the very best of British and Irish cinema at the Len Lye...
20/10/2026

British and Irish Film Festival | 28 Oct - 11 Nov 2026

Celebrate the very best of British and Irish cinema at the Len Lye Centre Cinema. Featuring an outstanding selection of films from prestigious festivals around the world, including a host of New Zealand premieres.

Featured films showcase incredible talent, including: Juliette Binoche, Olivia Colman, Peter Dinklage, Claire Foy, Andrew Garfield, Domhnall Gleeson, Helen Mirren, Bill Nighy, Guy Pearce, Saoirse Ronan, Andrew Scott, Alexander Skarsgård, among many others.

Tickets are on sale now!
Don't miss your chance to see some of the year's most acclaimed films on the big screen.

https://govettbrewster.com/cinema/british-and-irish-film-festival

Images: Top- Wicker / L- Kenny Dalglish / R- Virginia Woolf's Night & Day

One month left! Experience Matthew Galloway’s newly commissioned work, which digs into Aotearoa New Zealand’s energy inf...
14/10/2026

One month left!
Experience Matthew Galloway’s newly commissioned work, which digs into Aotearoa New Zealand’s energy infrastructure, revisiting the Think Big era and the afterlives of oil, gas and power.

Don't miss your chance to see the Economies of Deferral exhibition in New Plymouth. Now showing until 15 Nov 2026.

Image: Matthew Galloway, Fragments of the Motunui Synthetic Petrol Plant Visitor Centre, 2026, Waitara Valley Methanol Plant Model, plastic wood, model produced c. 1981; Mari Kokako Model, metal, plastic; Cabo Negro Model, metal, plastic; Motunui Synthetic Petrol Plant Model, aerial view, wood, plastic, metal, model produced c. 1981, detail. Models from the collection of Methanex New Zealand Ltd, detail. Photo: Samuel Hartnett.

Lights, camera, culture! Experience the 24th Latin American and Spanish Film Festival (LASFF) from 16-18 and 22-25 Octob...
14/10/2026

Lights, camera, culture! Experience the 24th Latin American and Spanish Film Festival (LASFF) from 16-18 and 22-25 October at Len Lye Centre Cinema.

To discover the full programme and reserve your seats, visit govettbrewster.com/cinema.

LASFF is a free, non-profit festival celebrating the diverse cultures, stories and voices of Latin America and Spain through the power of cinema.

Image: L- Basic Sanitation; R- Corina

How can sound act as a material force of consequence in the world? In partnership with Perimeter Books, we're excited to...
07/10/2026

How can sound act as a material force of consequence in the world?

In partnership with Perimeter Books, we're excited to announce the Ngāmotu book launch of Direct Bodily Empathy – Sensing Sound, a major new publication developed in connection with our exhibition programme.

Join us for an afternoon of sound, moving image, readings and conversation.
Saturday 10 October | 3.00pm - 5.00pm

See our website for more details, or to pre-order your copy today.
https://govettbrewster.com/events/event/E31722D2212

06/10/2026

What if the art moved? ⚡

Steel that shimmers, twists and roars. Sculptures that come alive with electricity. This summer, the whole Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre is being handed over to the work of Len Lye, one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most original artists.

Len Lye: Energies brings together six decades of his work, including the return of Trilogy (a flip and two twisters), a thrilling, noisy showstopper of spinning steel that's widely considered his masterpiece. You don't need to know a thing about art to feel it.

Lye's fascination with energy was shaped by growing up in Aotearoa, with its coasts, restless tides and volcanic landscapes. It's fitting that his work calls Taranaki home. 🌊

Save this for your summer road trip. 🎨
📅 5 December 2026 to 26 April 2027
📍 Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre, New Plymouth

Proudly supported by , Govett-Brewster Foundation, and

Video: Len Lye, Grass, 1961-1965; Universe, 1963-1976 (1998 reconstruction); Ribbon Snake, 1965 (2008 reconstruction); Zebra, 1965 (2009 reconstruction); Trilogy (a flip and two twisters), 1977. Courtesy of the Len Lye Foundation Collection and Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre. Video: Bryan James.

and ster

Are you a curious, organised, and collaborative arts professional?Do you have a passion for contemporary art, collection...
06/10/2026

Are you a curious, organised, and collaborative arts professional?
Do you have a passion for contemporary art, collections, and storytelling?
Are you looking to grow your career within one of NZ’s leading contemporary art institutions?

We’re looking for an Assistant Curator Contemporary Art and Collections to join our team. Applications close 26 October.

To find out more visit: https://linkin.bio/govettbrewster/
Assistant Curator Contemporary Art and Collections (8719)

Image: Len Lye Centre. Patrick Reynolds.

After school art is back for Term 4! Young Visionaries presents Invisible Forces Made Tangible - Art Meets Science.Ages ...
05/10/2026

After school art is back for Term 4! Young Visionaries presents Invisible Forces Made Tangible - Art Meets Science.

Ages 6-8 | Wednesdays | 14 Oct - 16 Dec 2026 | 3.45pm-5.15pm
Ages 9-12 | Thursdays | 15 Oct - 17 Dec 2026 | 3.45pm-5.15pm
$73.50 per term. Bookings essential. Limited spaces available.

Generously supported by Baker Tilly Staples Rodway.

https://govettbrewster.com/events?start=2026-10-14&end=2026-10-16

There's still time to experience Direct Bodily Empathy–Sound, Signal, Feedback before it closes on 11 October.Step into ...
04/10/2026

There's still time to experience Direct Bodily Empathy–Sound, Signal, Feedback before it closes on 11 October.
Step into an immersive exhibition that invites you to listen, feel and connect in unexpected ways. Perfect for curious minds of all ages.

For the full schedule of holiday events visit govettbrewster.com/whats-on

Images:
Yuko Mohri, Decomposition, 2026. Installation view, Direct Bodily Empathy — Sound, Signal, Feedback, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth, New Zealand, 2026. Fruit, horn speaker, amplifier, computer, acrylic, light bulb, antique table, acrylic display case, solar butterfly ornament, dimensions variable. © and courtesy of the artist, Japan. Image: Bryan James.

Simon Ingram, Vibrating World: Rotokare Forest, 39.45254˚ S, 174.41727 ˚ E, 2026. installation detail view Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre as part of Direct Bodily Empathy — Sound, Signal, Feedback. two-channel video, surround sound, duration variable. PC, speakers, audio interface, cable. courtesy of the artist and Gow Langsford Gallery, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Supported by the Chartwell Collection, and Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland. Image Bryan James

In celebration of Taranaki Heritage Month, here's a look back at some of our historical transformations.Images: 1964 Reg...
01/10/2026

In celebration of Taranaki Heritage Month, here's a look back at some of our historical transformations.

Images:
1964 Regent Theatre
Early 1970s
2011 photo: Inger Hughson
2018 photo: Sam Hartnett

Address

42 Queen Street
New Plymouth
4310

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+6467596060

Website

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