Australian Centre for Contemporary Art — Attraction in Melbourne

The Australian Centre For Contemporary Art (ACCA) is a contemporary art gallery in Melbourne, Australia. The gallery is located on Sturt Street in the Melbourne Arts Precinct, in the inner suburb of Southbank. Designed by Wood Marsh Architects, the building was completed in 2002. It incorporates facilities for Chunky Move, ACCA and the Malthouse Theatre.

In December 2015, Max Delany was announced as the new Artistic Director of ACCA, replacing the outgoing Artistic Director Juliana Engberg.

ACCA consists of four large gallery spaces, and together with the neighbouring Malthouse Theatre and ACCA form a courtyard at the centre of the complex which is used as an outside performance and exhibition space. The building also includes two rehearsal studios and an administration facilities for dance company Chunky Move as well as a large set construction facility for the Malthouse.

Openings in the distinctive rusty steel façade are kept to a minimum to support a broad array of installations, temporary and digitally projected work, which contrasts with the inter-pressed metal and glass surfaces in the interior. The design references the European model of the Kunsthalle, acting as a flexible shell for the display of art.

In its first decade, ACCA had already commissioned over 200 new works by both Australian and International Artists. Every year ACCA commissions six or seven new Australian artists for exhibition. Featured Australian artists have included Pat Brassington, Patricia Piccinini, alongside international artists such as Martin Creed, Barbara Kruger, Tacita Dean, Jenny Holzer and Joseph Kosuth. ACCA also presents many thematic exhibitions, as well as public art through initiatives such as the Big Wall project.

Following the completion of construction, the infamous sculpture Vault by Ron Robertson-Swann was relocated to the building's forecourt, where it...

The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) is one of Melbourne’s most inspiring and thought-provoking cultural spaces. From the moment you arrive, the striking architecture and modern design set the perfect tone for what’s inside — bold, creative, and full of imagination.

The exhibitions at ACCA are always unique and engaging, showcasing both Australian and international artists who push the boundaries of creativity. Every visit feels fresh and different — whether it’s immersive installations, experimental video works, or large-scale sculptures, you can always expect something unexpected and meaningful.

The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about contemporary art. They’re always happy to explain the themes behind each exhibition and help visitors connect with the artworks on a deeper level. The space itself is beautifully maintained — clean, open, and designed to give each piece the attention it deserves.

What makes ACCA special is how it encourages visitors to think, question, and experience art in new ways. It’s not just a gallery — it’s a place where ideas come alive. The centre also hosts talks, performances, and workshops that make it an important hub for Melbourne’s creative community.

Located in the heart of the Southbank arts precinct, ACCA is easy to access and surrounded by other great cultural spots, making it a must-visit for art lovers and tourists alike.

Overall, ACCA is a world-class institution that celebrates creativity, innovation, and the power of contemporary art. Every visit is inspiring and unforgettable. A true...

The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art is an Australian flagship contemporary art space, and a leading centre for the artistic and wider communities to participate in a critically engaged contemporary art culture that encourages curiosity and transformation.

Established in Melbourne in 1983 and now situated in an iconic award-winning architecturally designed building in the Southbank arts precinct, ACCA develops exhibitions exploring the ideas and work of significant artists from around the world, commissions ambitious new works by local and international artists, and delivers a range of curatorial, education and public programs including talks, lectures, symposia, performances, screenings, music and events.

Renowned for the outstanding quality of its programs, and its capacity to bring inspiring Australian and international art to audiences, ACCA is a champion of new art and bold ideas, and a dynamic platform for current and future generations of artists, thinkers, enthusiasts and supporters of the visual arts.

ACCA acknowledges the Boon Wurrung as the traditional owners and sovereign custodians of the land on which ACCA is situated, along with the Wurundjeri and all Kulin Nations, and extend respects to their ancestors and elders past and present, and to all First...