Australian Centre for Contemporary Art

The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) is a contemporary art centre based in Melbourne, Australia. Established in 1983, it describes its role as investing in artistic and wider communities, contributing to cultural conversation, and setting an agenda for contemporary art. ACCA works with Australian and international artists and supports the creation of new, experimental work. Its activities include commissioning new work, producing exhibitions, publications and digital initiatives, and presenting education, outreach and public programs. ACCA describes these programs as inclusive and accessible, intended to encourage community engagement and debate, participation, cultural belonging and exchange. Its work brings together artists, curators, audiences, colleagues and collaborators from local, regional, national and international communities. In 2002, ACCA moved to a purpose-built building in Melbourne’s Arts Precinct. The award-winning building was designed by Wood Marsh and is located in Southbank, a short distance from Melbourne’s central business district. The venue includes a gallery, a mirrored foyer and a north-facing forecourt. ACCA also offers venue hire, with the forecourt available for filming and photography by application. Its official website features exhibition and event listings, art tours, education bookings and other public programs.

The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) was established in 1983. Its institutional history is described in terms of supporting contemporary artists and connecting their work with audiences and communities. ACCA says it has invested in, nurtured and helped propel artists’ careers by supporting the creation of new, risk-taking and experimental work. Its stated purpose also includes encouraging new perspectives and creating work that can connect with diverse communities. A major change in the centre’s physical home came in 2002, when ACCA moved to a purpose-built building in Melbourne’s Arts Precinct. Designed by Wood Marsh, the award-winning building consolidated ACCA’s position as a centre for contemporary art and a platform for artists, curators, audiences, colleagues and collaborators. The venue is in Southbank, near Melbourne’s central business district. Its architectural character includes a distinctive rusty steel façade and an interior foyer featuring metal and glass surfaces. ACCA’s program has included direct work with leading Australian and international artists to commission new work, alongside exhibitions, publications and digital initiatives. The centre also describes a dynamic program of education, outreach and public activities intended to encourage engagement and debate, and to support participation, cultural belonging and exchange. Its current website presents exhibitions and events, family and teacher activities, art tours and education bookings. The institution also makes parts of its venue available for hire, including a gallery, mirrored foyer and north-facing forecourt; filming and photography in the forecourt are subject to application. The available sources establish ACCA’s founding year, its 2002 move and its current program and venue activities, but do not provide details about its founders, corporate ownership, or individual leadership. Those details are therefore not asserted here.

• 2002

  Moved to a purpose-built Melbourne Arts Precinct building

• 1983

  Australian Centre for Contemporary Art established

A contemporary art centre and platform for experimental artistic practice, cultural conversation, community engagement and exchange.

• Exhibitions and artist commissions

  ACCA works with Australian and international artists to commission new work and produce exhibitions.

• Publications and digital initiatives

  The centre produces publications and digital initiatives as part of its contemporary art program.

• Education, outreach and public programs

  ACCA presents programs intended to encourage community engagement, debate and participation.

• Venue hire

  ACCA offers its gallery, mirrored foyer and north-facing forecourt for venue hire.

1. 1ACCA – Australian Centre for Contemporary Artacca.melbourne
2. 2About – ACCAacca.melbourne
3. 3Venue Hire – ACCAacca.melbourne