The Dowse Art Museum
The Dowse Art Museum
4
About
The Dowse is a nationally significant contemporary art museum as well as the public art gallery for Lower Hutt city. Just a 15 minute drive from downtown Wellington, The Dowse's programming is diverse and exciting, presenting works by local and international artists to a range of audiences. A busy events calendar complements each exhibition season with artists' talks, children's workshops and a monthly Late Lounge music session with bands and solo artists. Cafe and shop on site; free wi-fi.
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4.0
69 reviews
Excellent
33
Very good
25
Average
6
Poor
4
Terrible
1
j0npetrie
Vancouver, Canada21 contributions
Feb 2020
Do check the museums website — I went for the “Anthems of Belonging” exhibit, ends 22 March — 5 ‘families’ filmed in their living spaces singing composed ‘family’ anthems.
Brilliant idea and well executed.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the NZ limited edition records (music) exhibit — the graphics of the records and record covers and the music itself (ends 7 June) — and also the weaving and pottery exhibits. Amazing to me that a small museum produces a diversity of cutting edge exhibits that are viewable on the same day, not spaced over a couple of years.
Brilliant idea and well executed.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the NZ limited edition records (music) exhibit — the graphics of the records and record covers and the music itself (ends 7 June) — and also the weaving and pottery exhibits. Amazing to me that a small museum produces a diversity of cutting edge exhibits that are viewable on the same day, not spaced over a couple of years.
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
onitada
Wellington, New Zealand308 contributions
Aug 2024 • Solo
Eventually greeted by a very informative gallery staff member, and went onto discover some smart intelligent art ( SIA) for a change and the Dowse displayed this in spades with Paul Maseyk, Jugs in New Zealand Painting. Every so often you encounter something so, on to it, that you have to step back and think WTF, well here it is in this. So art referential, its like the whose who of relevant and forgotten, unless your an art historian, artists in New Zealand through time. Some well known, some not so, like Mathew Couper, who yes painted a jug somewhere, sometime ago, who now, with a green card, resides in Los Vegas, these last number of years. Yes there is also a Colin McCahon, which leds me onto another show, Nell x Colin McCahon. Also, a well thought out art referential cross over experience. I found Yvonne Todd's exhibition , just doing what she does again and again. So back to Paul Maseyk, Jugs in New Zealand Painting, the exhibition I enjoyed the most, as well as the salsa music.
Written 28 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grant N
Hastings, New Zealand1,517 contributions
Sept 2020
Called to have a look through the Art Museum. Very friendly and helpful people there and the premises are excellent. The art on display, apart from a few pieces, were not to my taste - but this type of museum is definitely one for the aficionado rather than a peasant like me! I can appreciate the care and skill in each piece, but as art it just didn't meet my style - others in our party were more impressed - so guess it's all in the eye of the beholder. However, the premises are inviting, very well laid out, and the people are excellent - I'd recommend
Written 29 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nathalie R
Wellington, New Zealand117 contributions
Dec 2019
This museum is probably not on your usual bucker list for Wellington but deserves a visit. The space is modern and quite open. They usually have interesting exhibitions and a really nice museum shop not to mention their coffee shop which is worth a try!!!!
Written 29 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jobst56
Hamburg, Germany1,665 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
The Dowse is a local (modern) art museum that is situated in Lower Hutt, NOT in Wellington.
We saw an interesting exhibition on NZ bathing costumes of the past.
Really excellent museum cafe that was to close down - maybe it's not?!
We saw an interesting exhibition on NZ bathing costumes of the past.
Really excellent museum cafe that was to close down - maybe it's not?!
Written 4 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia ora jobst56
Thanks for the positive review. Like you say, we are a proudly Lower Hutt museum. We had a change in cafe tenants a little while ago and are loving having Bellbird Eatery here to keep us well fed and caffeinated.
Ngā mihi
Written 10 March 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Morse057
Budapest, Hungary26 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
Enjoyed the exhibitions especially the Lolly Aeroplane and the really cool surrounding park. My grandaughter had a very enjoyable day but come on Dowse - an extortionate $2.50 for a child's Fluffy - give Hutt Valleys hard working parents a break!
Written 13 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert L
Taunton, UK20 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
Modern art , do not understand some of it . Try to see what it's all about , open mind needed ...................
Written 6 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John H
South Padre Island, TX87 contributions
Apr 2012 • Family
Most of the people who have reviewed this museum are locals. It is fine if you are looking for something to do when you live here, but it is a complete waste of time for someone travelling from a different country. You can get through the museum in about 30 minutes. I would not be happy if I left Wellington to go to this museum as there are a lot more interesting things to do in Wellington that are close together. Plus, from an International perspective, it doesn't compare to Modern Art in larger cities.
Written 9 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lizzy dorgan
13 contributions
Dec 2024 • Solo
i love how the dowse is on the world stage on par with te papa - the showcases here are so amazing and i am proud to be from the hutt to say i grew up around and in here!!
Written 9 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ross C
Richmond, New Zealand256 contributions
Aug 2020
Varied, really interesting, high quality exhibitions currently on display which will provide satisfying viewing for almost all visitors. Particularly impressed by the 'handcrafts' display, very stylish and interesting work by many artisats
Written 23 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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