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.

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 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 welcoming—borderline anarchic—space where arts practitioners could present new work without high production costs, and the public could expect surprising, challenging and often absurd art.
The programme was prolific, with 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.

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 Sound Plains performance night

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 so 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, Matthew 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 H. Osterman, Savannah MacIntosh, Sean Monro, Sebastián Vargas, Signe Rose, stef animal, Tes Rae, Tess Munro, Tessa Stubbing, Uri Davillier, Veronica Manchego, Zara Sigglekow.

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