For thirty years, DEPOT has steadily helped shape the creative heartbeat of Tāmaki Makaurau. Nestled in the seaside village of Devonport, just a short ferry ride from Auckland city, DEPOT has grown from a grassroots initiative into an established and inclusive creative hub, where artists are supported, ideas are tested, and pathways into meaningful creative careers are sustained. 

As DEPOT marks this 30-year milestone, it’s a chance to recognise the many artists, collaborators, and communities who have been part of that journey, and the role DEPOT continues to play within Aotearoa’s creative landscape, while acknowledging the energy and opportunities that continue to grow from the work happening there.

From the very beginning, DEPOT has been about people. Artists at every stage of their journey have found support there, from those taking early steps to those developing established practices - musicians such as Kimbra, Bic Runga, Gin Wigmore and Finn Andrews, alongside thousands of visual artists whose work has been shared across DEPOT’s galleries, studios and programmes. That focus on people shapes how DEPOT operates day to day. Access has always been central to what happens there. Creativity is something to be shared, explored and lived, whether through a first workshop, a debut exhibition, or time spent recording and making.

The Creative Careers programme sits at the heart of DEPOT, supporting around 200 people each year to move from the Jobseeker Benefit into sustainable creative employment. With tailored guidance and practical support, participants build pathways into meaningful creative careers, strengthening the wider creative ecosystem. This work reflects a shared belief that creativity is not just a passion, but a viable and rewarding career path, bringing together creative practice and social impact in a way that continues to shape DEPOT.

In recent years, DEPOT has entered a new chapter. Following a major flood at the Clarence St Gallery in 2024, DEPOT took over the former Council Borough building on Victoria Road, transforming it into a multi-purpose creative space within the Devonport community. Today, this reimagined space reflects both resilience and ongoing vision, bringing together a gallery, retail shop, and working studios that support artists while offering visitors a way to connect with and purchase work from across Aotearoa.

At the centre of the 3 Vic Road space is a ceramics studio that invites people to make. Whether shaping clay for the first time or building on existing skills, the focus is on slowing down, connecting, and creating something tangible. Upstairs, artists work within shared studio spaces, forming a community grounded in daily practice, collaboration and experimentation, where ideas are shared, skills are developed, and new work is continually taking shape.

DEPOT continues to expand its programme of term-time classes and workshops, creating opportunities for people of all ages to engage with creativity in supported and structured ways. These programmes reflect an ongoing commitment to accessibility, lifelong learning, and supporting the next generation of creatives.

Across DEPOT’s sites, activity is ongoing. From DEPOT Artspace, DEPOT Lounge and DEPOT Sound to Whare Toi and 3 Vic Road with the DEPOT Shop | Toi Toa, there is a constant flow of exhibitions, workshops, performances and creative activity. In 2025 alone, DEPOT delivered 26 exhibitions, 106 workshops and public events, and supported nearly 250 artists, reflecting a space where culture is actively created and shared.

What makes DEPOT special is its ability to bring people together. It is a meeting point for artists and audiences, professionals and beginners, locals and visitors. Participation ranges from attending exhibitions and workshops to recording music or simply stepping through the doors to see what’s happening.

Director Amy Saunders explains, “DEPOT is about people. It’s about making space for artists to take risks, build skills, connect with others, and create thriving careers. It’s also about building community, because together we are greater than the sum of our parts. We want Devonport to be a vibrant creative destination where creativity is part of everyday life, and a strong calling card for visitors from across Aotearoa and overseas.”

Looking ahead, DEPOT will continue to grow its reach and share more of what happens there, ensuring more people can access these opportunities while remaining focused on supporting artists and creative communities across Aotearoa.

As part of the anniversary programme, DEPOT will host the New Zealand String Quartet on Saturday 2 May, offering an intimate, world-class performance within the Victoria Road space. Visitors will also be able to explore the artist studios upstairs during the interval.

Visitors can explore and shop artworks online at www.depot.org.nz or join the DEPOT Collective, receiving member benefits including discounts at the DEPOT Shop | Toi Toa. DEPOT also welcomes new partners, supporters and collaborators.

Thirty years on, DEPOT remains a place where artists develop their practice, ideas take shape, and creativity becomes part of everyday life. It is a space where art is lived and shared, and where people are always welcome. The invitation remains open to the wider community to spend time in the spaces, sign up for a class, learn a new skill or support an artist by buying their work.

Every community needs spaces for creativity. For 30 years, DEPOT has shown how these spaces can support people, practice and connection, enriching communities over time.