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Cross St Studios

What

Cross St Studios was an artist-run initiative (ARI) active from 2006 to 2010.

Located in the old Barker & Pollock building, behind Karangahape Road in central Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, it quickly became a community meeting point with a reputation for platforming unconventional and experimental artistic projects.

The physical space was split into three zones: a public gallery and performance area, ten individual studios and a shared workshop area.

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Courtesy of Sean Monro.

Courtesy of Sean Monro.

Courtesy of Sean Monro.

Courtesy of Rainger Pinney.

Courtesy of Rainger Pinney.

Why

Conceived in 2006 by a group of architects, visual artists and sound artists, Cross St Studios was born out of a common frustration with the lack of affordable spaces in central Tāmaki Makaurau to make and show work. Driven by a naïve, DIY spirit, we converted a former wrestling gym into what was dubbed a "shanty town for artists”—a shared space, built by hand, using upcycled and donated materials, sweat and unrelenting enthusiasm.

Our mission was pretty simple: to act as an incubator for ideas that could be easily generated, executed and exhibited, and make art accessible.

Over five years, Cross St Studios became a spirited space where arts practitioners could present new work without high production costs, and the public could consistently encounter surprising, challenging and often absurd art.

The programme was prolific, hosting over 140 public events, ranging from exhibitions and live performances to workshops and publication launches. We also initiated and co-organised the popular Cross Street Carnival (2008–2009), Bang Bang Caravel variety nights, the inaugural Auckland Zinefest and collaborated on projects with others in our community.

While the collective reluctantly vacated the central city premises at the start of 2010 due to an unviable rent increase and lack of public funding, the initiative’s five-year run and its challenge to the conventional gallery model have remained an inspiration for independent arts practitioners.

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Courtesy of Tes Rae.

Tutti Fruiti opening night.

Show 'n' Tell community learning evening.

Climate Camp fundraising concert.

Performance by The Dust Palace.

Molloy Ahoy! exhibition opening.

Shifting City Sounds Plain collective.

Rachel Shearer and Dean Roberts of Xe.

Actors preparing for The Needies performance. Courtesy of Roberto Nascimento.

Performance by Nevernudes.

Illustration Friday opening night. Photo by Melissa Jenkins.

Zinefest Afterparty.

Performance by Brand New Math.

Illustration Friday opening night. Photo by Zara Sigglekow.

Bang Bang Caravel 4.

Boxwars II.

Woman vs Moustache opening night.

Cross Section opening night.

2009 Cross Street Carnival.

Inside Out Tea Party. Courtesy of Briar Tucker.

The K Rd Show by The Outfit Theatre Co.

Who

Cross St Studios was built through the collaborative effort of countless individuals and an extensive community of supporters. We are grateful to everyone who contributed time, energy and ideas, including the many people not listed here.

FOUNDING AND COLLECTIVE MEMBERS

AJ Thompson, Amy Blinkhorne, Ben Cragg, Briar Tucker, Charlotte Drayton, Daniel Cary, Daniel Koene, Genista Jurgens, Haley Williams, Ignacio Pérez Kenchington, Jo Galvin, Jono Aidney, Josca Craig-Smith, Juan Jose, Leah Forsyth-Steel, Maria Leyden, Markus Mai, Matt Molloy, Melissa Jenkins, Michael Williams, Michelle Osborne, Mikel Krumins, Nicolas J. Boyd, Paula Garrido, Paul Jan Sisley, Phill Dryson, Rachel Ruckstuhl-Mann, Rainger Pinney, Rex McMurry, Samuel Osterman, Savannah MacIntosh, Sean Monro, Sebastián Vargas, Signe Rose, stef animal, Tes Rae, Tess Munro, Tessa Stubbing, Uri Davillier, Veronica Manchego, Zara Sigglekow.

CHARITABLE TRUST AND BOARD MEMBERS

In 2007, Cross St Studios formalised its structure by becoming a registered charitable trust. The initial board members were Daniel Koene, Genista Jurgens, Haley Williams, Sean Monro and Veronica Manchego. By 2009, the trust’s board had evolved to comprise Mikel Krumins, Phill Dryson, Tessa Stubbing, AJ Thompson and Michael Williams.

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Courtesy of Maria Leyden.

Courtesy of Tes Rae.

Courtesy of Tes Rae.

Courtesy of Briar Tucker.

Courtesy of Sebastián Vargas.

Courtesy of Mikel Krumins.

Courtesy of Sebastián Vargas.

Courtesy of Sebastián Vargas.