Throughout Adelaide Festival Centre’s buildings and grounds is our significant Works of Art Collection which comprises of a diverse range of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, photography, textiles, and moving image works.
This important Collection features works by renowned artists including Sydney Ball, Nellie Coulthard, Bert Flugelman, Barbara Hepworth, Beaver Lennon, Sidney Nolan, Fred Williams, Mumu Mike Williams, and Tony Wilson.
This Collection was established in 1970 when over-subscribed funds from the public appeal to build the Festival Theatre were set aside to commission and purchase works of art by leading artists of that time. As the theatre was built, works were commissioned to integrate into the design of the building’s foyers, façade, and entrances.
The Collection expanded from 2001-2003 with a generous grant from City of Adelaide through Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation to acquire and commission significant works of art by contemporary First Nations artists. This included a public art commission by Brook Andrew in Dunstan Playhouse and the acquisition of significant Adelaide based First Nations artists such as Nici Cumpston, Troy Anthony-Baylis and Damien Shen working in collaboration with Richard Lyons.
The Works of Art Collection is a significant public collection of Australian and international art that reflects the history of Adelaide Festival Centre and Australia’s visual and performing arts history.
Works of Art Collection, Adelaide Festival Centre have compiled the website in good faith. Every reasonable effort has been made to identify, locate and contact the original copyright owners for the images used, but in some instances this has not been possible. If you are the copyright owner of an image used and not been properly acknowledged, please contact performingartscollection@adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au so proper credit can be made.
