Philosophy and History

The Depot's Philosophy

The philosophy of the Depot is represented by its circular mantra “Creating An Environment that Encourages Creating….” which embodies the infinity of opportunities for the creative to find form.

As an arts community the Depot’s stated purpose is to encourage people to participate in the arts through all media – music, painting, performance, poetry, sculpture, etc.

We believe that the arts should be non-discriminatory, inclusive and accessible to everyone.

We believe in creating as a fundamental freedom. In a world conditioned significantly by the free market this is a key principle.

Here’s classic utopian, Lewis Mumford, in 1922 describing the type of society that the Depot represents by its philosophy:  “A community whose life is not irrigated by art and philosophy is a community that exists only half alive. The fundamental values of a true community are to be found in poetry, art, music and the free use of the imagination,…the production of non-profit-making goods, the enjoyment of non-consumable wealth. Here are the sustaining values of a living culture."

The Depot's History

The Depot’s interests are easily determined by a large palette and paintbrush sign over a façade featuring palm tree pilasters above which a throng of 3D figures is immersed in a variety of creative pursuits. There is little sign of its previous incarnation as an old borough council works depot.


In 1994 when a small band of intrepid Devonport locals approached North Shore City Council to lease them the old works depot to convert into an art and music centre they were met with serious official doubt which delayed any development for two years. As one of the casualties of Council amalgamation in 1989 when services and facilities were centralised the depot suffered years of neglect as a dumping ground for every possible kind of disposable detritus. The building was a bombsite!

In 1996 after ongoing negotiations the Council finally relented and offered a lease on the understanding that no handouts were likely to be forthcoming in the foreseeable future. This was an opportunity to put the no.8 fencing wire formula to the test in order to transform the facility.

First off Community Corrections came to the party, with a periodic detention team which gutted the space and built the fire egress, and an inspired builder with a hefty community service sentence who designed and built the music studios from hay bales and chicken wire for $200. The rehearsal space has since been described by a number of top musicians, including the drummer from REM, as acoustically brilliant.

Galleries and studios were created with panels of MDF hung from beams by chains, and themed exhibitions offered an initial enticement to artists to use the space as adventurously as they chose.

Along with increased development and community interest the Depot achieved a degree of respectability, and rumours that we were growing marijuana hydroponically in the fire egress to make ends meet were soon forgotten. Council undertook to re-roof the building and replace the industrial roller door which had served as the sole entrance with brand new glass bi-folds.

Further community involvement saw the construction of permanent walls to accommodate galleries, studios and rooms for the burgeoning number of projects the Depot was undertaking. Eventually the demand for services became so great that the Depot refurbished another council facility which now offers artists’ studios, a space for performance, workshops and seminars, and a second band rehearsal room. The Depot has fifty bands vying for rehearsal space and the recording opportunities offered by its community recording studio, Depot Sound. The sound studio has been haunted by many such as The Veils, The Checks, The Electric Confectionaires and more

The Depot has always shown a commitment to young people, and one of its galleries, Outerspace Gallery, is dedicated to exhibiting the work of young artists.  Artist Rob Tucker began his career here along with Yonel Watene, 2006 Young Maori Artist of the Year. The Depot also undertook to produce a magazine that celebrated the achievements of creative young people on the North Shore, and in 2006 MORPH was conceived. A high quality, intelligent publication that carries no advertising MORPH is largely the work of young people who write and photograph for, as well as feature in, the magazine, which has now moved online.

The Depot’s latest initiative is a partnership formed with arts lawyer David McLaughlin to offer advice, information and advocacy to creative people. The Creative People’s Centre is both web and community based and in an increasingly legislated, digitalised and competitive society provides a centre of support and capacity building resources to creative people across all disciplines. It encapsulates the Depot’s ethos of inclusiveness and accessibility and sits alongside other opportunities, such as Outerspace Design and the artists’ mentoring programme, PACE, which allow creative people to make their way independently in the world.

In its continual growth the Depot Artspace has never deviated from its philosophy, of which service is a significant cornerstone. It honours the creative spirit and welcomes new ideas and opportunities which enhance the life of artists and enliven and enrich the community.