Exhibition Space Hire — Photosynthesis Community Gallery

Photosynthesis is a non-profit, artist-run photographic studio, darkroom, and community gallery in Ōtautahi Christchurch. The gallery welcomes exhibition proposals from emerging, mid-career, and established photographers, as well as collectives, curators, and community groups working across the full spectrum of photographic practice — lens-based and lensless, analogue and digital, alternative historical techniques, and experimental approaches.

Exhibition Spaces

Two spaces are available to hire individually or together

• Large Exhibition Wall — approximately 13.8 metres long × 2.4 metres tall; ideal for solo shows, large group exhibitions, thematic presentations, or installation-style displays.
• Small Exhibition Space — four walls totalling 9 metres with vertical wood panelling over black acoustic felt; optional suspended panels available (3 × 900mm and 2 × 2400mm, all 1200mm tall); well suited to projection, plinth displays, and more intimate or experimental presentations.

Plinths are available for publications, artist books, zines, or sculptural photographic works.

Costs & Fees

• Large wall: $175 NZD per week
• Small space: $125 NZD per week
• Both spaces: $300 NZD per week
• $100 NZD bond (refunded on satisfactory make-good)

Exhibitions run for a minimum of one week and a maximum of three weeks. A typical schedule runs from installation on the first Monday through to pack-down the following Sunday.

What Photosynthesis Provides

• Listing on the Photosynthesis exhibition and events calendar
• Promotion via Instagram and the online newsletter
• RSVP management for opening events
• Stripe-based payment system for sales (10% commission applies)
• Venue access and basic non-alcoholic refreshments for the opening event
• Tools, hanging hardware, filler, and painting supplies for installation and make-good
• Optional paid volunteer support for gallery sitting ($20/hour) and make-good assistance ($50/hour)

Your Responsibilities

Exhibitors manage their own opening hours, install and remove their work, and restore the space at the conclusion of the exhibition. You'll need to supply a hero image and exhibition descriptions for marketing purposes, and are encouraged to create a works catalogue for visitors.

Visiting the gallery beforehand is strongly recommended to plan your layout effectively.