Toihoukura is the school of MÃÂori Visual Arts at Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) and is based in Gisborne, New Zealand. It is one of New ZealandâÂÂs predominant MÃÂori Visual Arts schools. Toihoukura has developed a reputation for being an innovative national centre of MÃÂori art practice, but is also known for its involvement in community projects such as wharenui conservation. Students from Toihoukura have worked on Cliff WhitingâÂÂs marae at Te Papa and panels used at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Toihoukura is known for the distinctive style of contemporary MÃÂori art it has developed, as well as its whare wÃÂnanga approach to learning.
Toihoukura was founded in 1990 by Ivan Ehau at Tairawhiti Polytechnic (now EIT). TÃÂ moko artist Derek Lardelli joined the staff in 1992, kowhaiwhai artist Sandy Adsett in 1993, painter Steve Gibbs in 1994 and weaver Christina Wirihana in 2011. The school includes the Maia gallery, a koru-shaped space used for exhibitions with a meeting-house style entry way which was the result of a collaboration between Gisborne architect Graeme Nicholl and Toihoukura tutors.
ToihoukuraâÂÂs philosophy is to make sure that specifically MÃÂori art forms are continually developed. Toihoukura's philosophy is achieved in a wÃÂnanga learning environment that encourages each student to develop a strong sense of imagery related to their own ancestral whakapapa (genealogy), while also developing personally and professionally.
The faculty currently offers the following programmes:
NZ Certificate in NgÃÂ Toi: Ka Tipu te Whaihanga
Bachelor of MÃÂori Visual Arts (Te Toi o NgÃÂ Rangi) Te Hono ki Toi (Poutiri-ÃÂ-rangi) Bachelor of Professional Creative Practice (Honours)
Te Ara Pourewa: Graduate Diploma in Heritage and Museum Studies
Te Hono ki Toi (Poutiriao) Master of Professional Creative Practice
Each year the top student at Toihoukura is awarded the Ruanuku Award. A piece of the studentâÂÂs work is given to TairÃÂwhiti Museum through the support of Professor Jack Richards who has sponsored the prize since 1995.