Visual + StratumContemporary photography as a civic commons for Tāmaki Makaurau.
Vistru is a non-profit initiative led by young artists, using exhibitions, education, and community programmes to amplify layered visual cultures across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Vistru Pillars
- Exhibitions act as incubators for emerging image-makers.
- Workshops and labs bridge students, communities, and collaborators.
- Non-profit trust reinvests grants, sponsorship, and ticketing into public programmes.
Programmes
Exhibition-first pathways that nurture practice, dialogue, and public value.
Each programme is framed as a porous layer where makers, students, communities, and supporters co-author experiences that circulate visual literacy and civic agency.
Curatorial LabsExhibitions & site-responsive storytelling
Biennial and pop-up programmes pair emerging photographers with curators, writers, and spatial designers to explore Aotearoa's layered realities.
- Open calls & residencies
- Dual-language mediation
Explore → Learning & MentorshipWorkshops, critique circles, and portfolio studios
Practice-based workshops led by artists, academics, and industry partners with an emphasis on critical literacy and peer feedback.
- Monthly lab nights
- Youth + tertiary partnerships
Explore → Community InfrastructureCollaborations, publishing & public programmes
Cross-sector collaborations with art spaces, camera stores, and universities to build shared resources for contemporary photography.
- Co-produced zines
- Public talks & screenings
Explore → Supporters
A coalition of arts organisations, educators, and industry allies.
Strategic partners contribute space, expertise, and resources to keep programmes accessible while maintaining rigorous standards for contemporary photography.
- Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland Council)
- Hāpai Hapori (Lottery Community)
- Creative New Zealand
- Partner to be announced
- Partner to be announced
- Partner to be announced
Community call
Subscribe to be notified about exhibitions, submissions, and volunteer activations.
We honour your inbox with concise bilingual updates about future exhibition routes, laboratories, and funding opportunities.
Photography x civic futuresWorkshops & mentorshipGrants & sponsorship
