space hire at market lane

Ngā Pukapuka Tono Tere | EARLY BIRD BOOKINGS

Early bird bookings for hireable spaces at the Arts Centre – 3–6 Market Lane (1 July 2026 – 31 December 2026) are now open. 

Bookings close 15 May ahead of the transition to the Council’s new online public booking system, Bookable. Hireable spaces bookings will re-open on Bookable on 10 June.

This early booking window supports artists, creatives, and communities to secure rooms in advance. All confirmed bookings will be transferred to Bookable once the system goes live. 

Please read our hireable spaces terms and conditions.

Note: if you are interested in renting an arts office, please visit our Market Lane artist studios & offices page. Applications for vacant rental spaces are currently open and close 11.59pm 23 April 2026. 

Mō Ngā Wāhi | About the Spaces

The Arts Centre – 3–6 Market Lane offers a range of flexible, purpose-designed spaces for creative and community use. Each room has been designed to be practical, adaptable, and welcoming for a range of users.

These rooms support:

• rehearsals and creative development

• workshops and wānanga

• presentations and performance

• exhibitions and events

• learning and group activity

View Detailed Room Descriptions and Images.

Te Whakaraupapa Tono | Booking Priority 

The Arts Centre 3–6 Market Lane is first and foremost a creative arts facility.

Priority will be given to:

• artists and creative practitioners

• arts-led activity

• kaupapa aligned with Aho Tini and creative purpose

• activity that supports the growth and development of Wellington artists

In off-peak periods or where rooms are under-booked, they may be made available for wider community and non-arts activity.

This approach helps us balance strong support for the arts sector with flexible access for the wider community.

Ngā Utu Rēti | Hire Rates

As a Wellington City Council facility, we are committed to keeping hire rates accessible and affordable while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the space.

The hire rates provided for our rooms at the time of your booking are indicative. The proposed rates are subject to public consultation in April, with feedback informing final Council decisions.  

The creative sector and wider community will have an opportunity to provide feedback in April 2026, before final rates are confirmed in June 2026. Final, Council-approved rates will take effect from 1 July 2026. We encourage your participation in this process. 

Customer Rate Types

• Toi Concessionary Rate: Used by Community Arts and the Wellington Arts Sector for Unfunded or Concessionary Arts Practice.

• Professional Arts Practice: Used by Wellington Arts Sector for Professional Arts Practice or funded practice.

• Commercial/Non-Art Rate: Use for Commercial, Corporate and Non-Arts Purposes.

• Note: Rates are inclusive of GST

The rates listed below are indicative and subject to:

• public consultation

• Council’s Annual Plan process

• final Council approval

Final approved rates will take effect from 1 July 2026.

View Indicative Hire Rates.

Dance studio 1

A purpose-built rehearsal studio designed for movement-based practice, including dance, theatre, and physical performance. The space features wall-mounted mirrors, high-quality acoustics, and a sprung floor, supporting both individual and group use.

The studio features the Junckers Unobat 45 Sport Floor System, a premium sprung floor constructed from 22mm European solid Beech and installed over prefabricated laminated battens. 

This A4-rated system (EN 14904) delivers exceptional performance for high-impact activity, making it ideal for dance, multi-sport training, and professional rehearsal work. 

Maximum occupancy: 50

Measures 58m²

dance studio 2

A purpose-built rehearsal studio designed for movement-based practice, including dance, theatre, and physical performance. The space features wall-mounted mirrors, high-quality acoustics, and a sprung floor, supporting both individual and group use. Suitable for larger groups and a wide range of movement-based activity.

The studio features the Junckers Unobat 45 Sport Floor System, a premium sprung floor constructed from 22mm European solid Beech and installed over prefabricated laminated battens. 

This A4-rated system (EN 14904) delivers exceptional performance for high-impact activity, making it ideal for dance, multi-sport training, and professional rehearsal work.

Maximum occupancy: 50

Measures: 74m²

Combined Dance Studio

The Combined Dance Studio creates a large, open rehearsal environment by joining Studios 1 and 2 through an operable wall. This expanded space is ideal for larger ensembles, full-scale rehearsals, workshops, and performance preparation, offering flexibility, scale, and excellent acoustic conditions.

Maximum occupancy: 50

Measures: 132m²

Multi-Purpose Studio

The Multi-Purpose Studio is a flexible black box space designed for rehearsals, art-making workshops, wānanga, and classroom-style learning. It can be configured to support a range of activities, including drama, facilitation, training, and creative development, making it suitable for both arts and community use.

Maximum occupancy: 40

Measures: 103m²

Poutama | Presentation Space

Poutama is a compact and adaptable space suited to presentations, rehearsal observation, meetings, and focused creative work. Ideal for smaller groups, it provides an environment for development, discussion, and low-scale activity.

Maximum occupancy: 10

Measures: 23m²

Combined Performance Space (Multipurpose Studio & Poutama Space) 

The combined performance space creates a large, open performance environment by joining the multipurpose studio and poutama space through an operable wall.

Maximum occupancy: 50

Measures: 126m²

Nau Mai | cultural Space

The Nau Mai space is a cultural gathering space designed to support pōwhiri, performance, workshops, and wānanga. It includes a 4.5m screen wall and data projector, enabling both presentation and digital content use. The space is well suited to kaupapa Māori activity and group engagement, offering a welcoming environment for shared experience, learning, and connection.

Maximum occupancy: 60

Measures: 84m²

Mareikura | Multipurpose Event Space
(Available after 5.30pm weekdays and all-day weekends)

Mareikura refers to a woman of high rank and presence, reflecting the mana and importance of this space as a place of leadership, expression, and connection.

This multi-purpose event and presentation space is located in the prominent wedge-shaped area of the building with a fully functional showroom kitchen and a compact green room. With curved windows and a highly visible public presence, the space is designed for performance, workshops, functions, and boutique-scale events.

Maximum occupancy: 80

Measures 134m²