December has arrived and excitement is mounting with the opening of Tūhura on 16 December! This is followed by our Christmas festivities – Christmas @ OM performers and the Elves’ Workshop and Makerspace. Join us for lots of seasonal fun!
Open until 10 December: Burma Express
Twenty-six Myanmar artists reflect on their country’s economic, social, and political situation. This exhibition is in support of the New Zealand Asian Studies Society (NZASIA) 22nd Biennial International Conference 2017. Daily, 10am–3pm, Postmaster Gallery, H D Skinner Annex, free.
Saturday 16 December: Tūhura Otago Community Trust Science Centre opens
The $2.5 million redevelopment of the former Discovery World Tropical Forest now offers over 45 new hands-on science interactives and a refreshed Tropical Forest butterfly house, and also encompasses the digitally interactive Beautiful Science Gallery and Perpetual Guardian Planetarium.
An icon of the Tūhura Otago Community Trust Science Centre is the 7.5 metre-high spiral slide inspired by the DNA double helix. It’s a thrilling ride! Other key interactives include ‘The Void’ infinity room experience, a Virtual Body Table, a Mood Ball and a Tornado. Most of the new interactive exhibits were designed and manufactured in Germany, by world-renowned Hüttinger Interactive Exhibitions. The refurbished butterfly environment will not only house over 1000 exotic butterflies, but also tarantulas, terrapins and birds. And joining the butterflies are gorgeous giant stick insects. Tūhura is amazing. You’ll want to keep coming back, so buy an Annual Pass for multiple visits. Check the website for pricing details.
Otago Wildlife Photography Competition
The 19th annual Otago Wildlife Photography Competition is open! For amateur photographers and videographers living in Otago, the 2018 competition invites entries in the Animal, Plant, Human Impact on the Environment, Pets, and Night Skies photo categories, as well as the Wildlife in Action video category. See the website for more info and terms and conditions.
Saturday 16 – Thursday 21 December: Elves' Workshop and Makerspace
Join our merry elves in their workshop on Atrium Level 1 as we make festive decorations to take home for your tree. Self-guided, family-friendly activities, throughout the day, free.
Tuesday 19 December: Decorate a Greek-Inspired Pot Hands-on Workshop
10.30am, Atrium Level 1, $5 per person, Limited numbers, bookings essential. Book at www.otagomuseum.nz or the Info Desk.
Wednesday 20 December: Create your own Furoshiki
Furoshiki – a type of traditional Japanese cloth used to wrap gifts and goods. Hands-on Workshop 10.30am, Atrium Level 1, $5 per person, Limited numbers, bookings essential. Book at www.otagomuseum.nz or the Info Desk.
Thursday 21 December: Make an Egyptian-Inspired Candle
Hands-on Workshop 10.30am, Atrium Level 1, $5 per person, Limited numbers, bookings essential. Book at www.otagomuseum.nz or the Info Desk.
image: Cantores Choir, the University of Otago student choir
Christmas @ OM – enjoy our festive programme of music for Christmas
- Saturday 16 December, 1pm: The St Kilda Tongan Methodist Senior Choir and Youth Choir Christmas carols Pasifika-style. Free.
- Saturday 16 December 2.30pm: Tu Tu Tango Saturday afternoon easy listening – a selection of Christmas songs by Robyn Johnston and Doug Wright. Free.
- Sunday 17 December 12pm: Dunedin Harmony Chorus and Highland Harmony Ringing chords and barbershop sparkle. Free.
- Sunday 17 December 1.30pm: Cantores Choir Seamless Yuletide harmonies courtesy of Cantores, the University of Otago student choir. Free.
- Saturday 23 December 1pm: Christmas @ OM – City Choir Dunedin sings traditional carols under our tree. Free.
Monday 15 January to Friday 26 January Explorers' Club
Otago Museum’s awesome Education team offers a stimulating and fun series of topics in the Explorers' Club School Holiday Programme. These are held on weekdays for ages 5–12 years; fully supervised, dress for mess!
Kids should bring a packed lunch and drink bottle or they can pre-order lunch from the Museum Café. A G-rated movie is screened during break times. Bookings are essential – book at www.otagomuseum.nz or the Otago Museum Info Desk.
These are just a few of the topics: Up and Away – the amazing world of flight; Games galore – make games, play games and have fun; Medieval magic – horrible and horrendous history; Little Engineers – engineering challenges to keep you thinking; Bird Bonanza – the history of birds and how to get them to visit your backyard. But wait there’s more! Check the website for the full schedule of programmes. Whole day sessions: $55 per child 8.30am–5.30pm; Half day sessions: $30 per child 8.30am–1pm OR 1pm–5.30pm. 10% discount when you book for all 10 sessions.
The popular Life before Dinosaurs: Permian Monsters from Gondwana Studios is still wowing visitors with its life-size animatronics, fossil dig-pits and stunning artwork that offers a glimpse into the deep past. Special Exhibitions Gallery. Paid admission.
The Flying Monsters Planetarium show is recommended for all those whose interest has been piqued by the Life before Dinosaurs: Permian Monsters exhibition. Sir David Attenborough, the world's leading naturalist, sets out to uncover the truth about the enigmatic pterosaurs, whose wingspans of up to 40 feet were equal to that of a modern day jet plane. Perpetual Guardian Planetarium. Paid admission.
December at Otago Museum offers all this and more! Come along and join the fun! And while you’re here, browse for Christmas shopping at the Museum Shop, or take time out for coffee or a yummy lunch at the Café.