ACE Open facts for kids
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| Former name | Contemporary Art Centre of South Australia & Australian Experimental Art Foundation |
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| Established | 2017 |
| Location | Lion Arts Centre, Adelaide |
| Type | Contemporary art gallery |
ACE Open, which also stands for Adelaide Contemporary Experimental, is an exciting art organisation in Adelaide, South Australia. It's a place where you can see and learn about modern art. It was formed in 2017 when two older art groups, the Contemporary Art Centre of South Australia and the Australian Experimental Art Foundation, decided to combine their efforts.
Contents
History of ACE Open
How it Started: The Experimental Art Foundation
The Experimental Art Foundation (EAF) began in 1974 in St Peters, South Australia. It was started by a group of artists and thinkers who wanted to try new and different kinds of art. They wanted to explore art that was "experimental" and challenged old ideas.
These artists, including Donald Brook and Bert Flugelman, wanted to encourage new ways of making art. They believed art could make people think and explore new ideas. The EAF showed art from both Australian and international artists. For example, in 1976, an artist named Phillip Gerner did a 24-hour performance where he explored how the body interacts with food.
Growing and Changing
In 1992, the EAF moved into a special building called the Lion Arts Centre. This new space had a purpose-built art gallery, artist studios, and offices. It even had a bookshop focused on art books. The organisation later changed its name to the Australian Experimental Art Foundation (AEAF). It also ran a program where artists could live and work there for a time, helping many talented South Australian artists.
The AEAF received money from the Australian and South Australian governments to help it run.
The Big Merger
In 2016, the Contemporary Art Centre of South Australia (CACSA) and the AEAF started talking about joining forces. This happened after both organisations faced cuts in their funding. The South Australian government helped them with money in 2017 to plan the merger. The new combined organisation was named ACE Open. After the merger was decided, the Australia Council also provided more money to help ACE Open get started.
ACE Open officially opened its doors on March 15, 2017. Its very first exhibition was called BLACKFLAG, and it showed the work of a South Australian painter named Christian Lock.
What ACE Open Does
ACE Open is located in the Lion Arts Centre in Adelaide. This area is specially designed for art, with a gallery, offices, and studios for artists. It also has a free space that can be used for events and other activities.
ACE Open offers a yearly program of free art exhibitions. These shows feature artists from South Australia, other parts of Australia, and even from around the world. They also host events like talks by artists, workshops where you can learn new skills, and film screenings.
ACE Open is part of a group called Contemporary Art Organisations Australia (CAOA). This group helps support and promote smaller art organisations across Australia. It helps make sure that the work of living artists is seen and appreciated.
Who Runs ACE Open
In 2017, Liz Nowell was the first CEO of ACE Open. She later became the director of another art institution in Brisbane.
As of August 2025, the artistic director of ACE Open is Danni (Danielle) Zuvela. The executive director (ED) is Louise Dunn, and Amanda Pepe is the chair of the board. The board is a group of people who help guide the organisation. It includes people like entrepreneur Anton Andreacchio and artist Yhonnie Scarce.
Cool Exhibitions at ACE Open
ACE Open often has interesting exhibitions. For example, from June 1 to August 10, 2024, they hosted an exhibition called Entities: The Concepts and Post-Object Exhibitions. This show was put together by Alexandra Nitschke.
This exhibition looked back at the work of the Contemporary Art Society and the Experimental Art Foundation (EAF). It included pieces from past shows, like the 1974 Concepts exhibition and the 1976 Australian and New Zealand Post-Object Show – A Survey. It also displayed old posters, essays, and videos that showed the unique and experimental ways artists used to create their art.
