Events

The exciting programme of events associated with Monet and the Impressionists features exhibition floortalks, guest speakers, French music, and much more.

Monet Symposium

On 21 March, noted scholars gave a day of illuminating talks on Claude Monet, his contemporaries, and their artistic practice.

> Full programme and timetable

Fortnightly lunchtime floortalks

Come and enjoy a lunchtime filled with art – with talks by experts, including from Te Papa, Jonathan Mane-Wheoki, Director Art and Collection Services, and Victoria Robson, curator European Art.

Talks will be held every second Wednesday: 18 February, 4 March, 18 March, 1 April, 15 April, 29 April, and 13 May. Entrance fee to the exhibition applies.
Please note: The floortalk on 15 April will be given by Christiane Mortelier and David Maskill and will be in French.

Friday 20 March, 5pm – Special floortalk in French
Exhibition floortalk with Terence Maloon from the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Exhibition charges applies.

Art After Dark evenings

Immerse yourself in an evening of art, lectures, wine, and music at Te Papa on the third Thursday of every month, when the Museum is open until 9pm.

• 19 March 2009 – A toast to Monet
  5pm–8.40pm. Free entry, admission charges apply for floortalk.
  Enjoy floortalks by curators Victoria Robson and Jonathan Mane-Wheoki, a panel discussion, and French chansons (songs) by Sans Souci.
  > See the full programme
• 16 April 2009 – Impressionism: colonial lights and shadows
  5pm–8.30pm. Free entry.
  Enjoy a floortalk by Jonathan Mane-Wheoki, lectures by Jane Vial, Julie King, and Melissa Reimer, followed by a concert with pianists Diedre Irons and Michael Houstoun.
  > See the full programme

Monet special event series

Enjoy a summer's evening of colourful talks associated with Monet and the Impressionists.

• 26 February – Monet's Garden – a gardener's view of Giverny
  Guest speaker – gardening enthusiast Maggie Barry
• 12 March – Turner, Constable, Monet – English paths to French Impressionism
  Guest speaker – Jonathan Mane-Wheoki, Te Papa Director Art and Collection Services
• 26 March – Monet in the Salons – Proust, Polignac, and other Dragons
  Guest Speaker – theatre director  Elric Hooper
• 9 April – Japanese art, Impressionism, and the art of the West
  Guest Speaker – Dr Richard Bullen, School of Fine Arts University of Canterbury
• 23 April – Cherchez la femme: the female Impressionists
  Guest Speaker – Professor Pamela Gerrish Nunn, independent scholar
• 30 April – Musical Impressions
  New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
• 14 May – Living and Writing in France
  Panel discussion hosted by Maggie Barry, Chair of New Zealand Book Council

Weekend lessons, every Sunday

12 noon–12.45pm: Français pour les Enfants. Hey kids! Parlez-vous français? Join teachers from the Alliance Française for a fun beginner French lesson, music, and games at Te Papa.
The Marae, Level 4. Free entry.

Weekend events

• Sunday 29 March, 1.30pm
  The Cradle of Impressionism – a walk along the Seine with guest speaker Catherine Gossage.
• Saturday 4 April, 1.30pm–2.15pm
  French Impressions – Nota Bene
  French music with chamber choir and piano.
• Sunday 5 April, 1.30pm–2.30pm
  Monet – painter of light, with guest speaker Christiane Mortelier.
  Please note: This talk will be in French.
• Saturday 18 April, 1.30pm–2.30pm
  Capturing the mode: fashion in Impressionist art, with textile design teacher and Te Papa Loans Officer Leimomi Oakes
• Sunday 10 May, 1.30pm–2.15pm
  Chansons pour Monet
  French songs and arias from the New Zealand School of Music

Mother's Day brunch with Peta Mathias

Join chef and broadcaster Peta Mathias for a morning of sumptuous food and entertainment, as she talks about cooking in France and seeing life through rose-tinted glasses.
Sunday 10 May, 9am–12.30pm.
> More information

Documentary screenings

Sunday 15 March, 1pm
Sunday 19 April, 1pm
Saturday 16 May, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm
Sunday 17 May, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm
Enjoy an afternoon of wonderful films about Monet and his contemporaries, courtesy of the Embassy of France.

Botanic Garden events

Enjoy guided walks through the Garden, join 'plein air' (outdoor) art classes, and be enchanted by the children's origami water lilies in the Lady Norwood Rose Garden fountain.

> See the full list of events at the Botanic Garden