Image: Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki
Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, known as CoCA, has opened a call for proposals for a new performance initiative called ‘CoCA Sessions’, inviting Waitaha-based performing artists to apply by 31 July 2026. The programme is seeking proposals from artists working across dance, music, spoken-word and performance art, with the gallery saying it welcomes individual artists, groups and collectives.
According to CoCA’s announcement, ‘CoCA Sessions’ is intended to present one-off or weekend sessions in its downstairs Ō Papa Gallery. Proposed work can take several forms: an entirely new standalone piece, a site-responsive performance, a response to an upcoming CoCA exhibition, or a work that has already been performed elsewhere and is suited to the gallery space. The organisation says the initiative is designed to showcase diverse performing artists in the gallery, and that it is being supported by Christchurch City Council’s Creative Communities Scheme.
The call is part of a broader programme context at CoCA, where the gallery says it uses an open call model to shape its exhibitions and events. On its exhibition programme page, CoCA describes its programming as prioritising Ōtautahi and Waitaha artists while remaining open to proposals from elsewhere in the country. It also says the model supports a range of emerging and established artists and artistic disciplines. The gallery’s support page further describes CoCA’s long-term vision as providing a thriving home for art and culture in Waitaha and nurturing connections between artists and community.
For the new sessions, CoCA says it is looking for “exciting” proposals that will work in the downstairs gallery setting. The announcement does not specify a start date or final performance schedule, but it does set out the application deadline and submission process. Proposals should be sent to proposals@coca.org.nz with the subject line ‘CoCA Sessions’, and more information is available in the linked proposal document.
The gallery’s wider 2026/27 exhibition programme provides a sense of the institutional backdrop into which the new performance strand will fit. CoCA lists eight exhibitions selected from its 2025 call for proposals, including ‘CHOMP: the paste-ups of Earwig Magazine’ curated by Claudia Long, ‘Ka mauhara te uku (the earth remembers)’ by Jess Nicholson, ‘Boy, Away From Home’ by Chevron Hassett, and ‘Browntown’ by Brown Town. Later in the programme, the gallery also lists exhibitions by Janna van Hasselt, Ōtautahi Creative Spaces, and a group show titled ‘Under Our Sky’ by Kara Burrowes, Annabel Cropper, Ina Johann and Charette van Eekelen.
CoCA says the programming group behind its exhibition selection is made up of volunteer local artists, and that its approach is intended to support both free exhibitions and free events. In the same period, the gallery is also seeking new members for its Programming Group, with particular interest in applicants with experience in performance, sound and moving image, as well as emerging artists and representation from Mana Whenua and Tangata Whenua. For ‘CoCA Sessions’, however, the immediate focus is on Waitaha-based performing artists with proposals due by 11.59pm on Friday 31 July 2026.
