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CoCA has a rich and proud history. Founded in 1880 as the Canterbury Society of Arts (CSA), it was the first organization in the whole of Christchurch to exhibit and collect works of art.
Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCA) is an art gallery and is located in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand. This a not-for-profit organization which not only provides free access to modern art work but also becomes the platform for contemporary practitioners so that they can show their artworks. CoCA is also known to collaborate with international innovators to achieve its goals. Operated by Canterbury Society of Arts (CSA) Charitable Trust, it organizes quarterly seasonal exhibits under the guidance of experts from New Zealand and overseas.
The gallery which is located at 66 Gloucester Street enjoys a great architectural value; the fact that its architecture has earned it two New Zealand Institute of Architects awards proves its worth. The gallery’s building was designed by Minson, Henning Hansen and Dines, in the modernist ‘Christchurch Style’. This style was perfected and evolved by a generation of architects under the wings of Miles Warren and Peter Beaven, and is said to have been influenced by the British movement- The New Brutalism.