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 is an art center in Adelaide, South Australia. It was created in 2017 when two older art groups, the Contemporary Art Centre of South Australia and the Australian Experimental Art Foundation (AEAF), joined together. ACE Open shows new and exciting art.
Contents
History of ACE Open
The Experimental Art Foundation (EAF)
The Experimental Art Foundation (EAF) started in 1974 in St Peters, a suburb of Adelaide. It was formed by artists who wanted to try new things. They focused on "experimental" art. This meant art that was different and made people think.
Artists like Donald Brook and Bert Flugelman helped start the EAF. They wanted to show art that challenged old ideas. Their goal was to help create and show art that was new and exciting. They also wanted to encourage discussions about art. The EAF showed works by artists from Australia and other countries. These artists often explored new ways of making art.
AEAF and the Lion Arts Centre
Over time, the EAF was renamed the Australian Experimental Art Foundation (AEAF). In 1992, the AEAF moved into a special building called the Lion Arts Centre. This new place had a gallery, art studios, and offices. It also had a bookshop that sold books about art.
The AEAF had a program where artists could live and work there. This helped many talented artists in South Australia. The AEAF received money from the Australian and South Australian governments to support its work.
How ACE Open Was Formed
In 2016, the Contemporary Art Centre of South Australia (CACSA) and the AEAF started talking about joining together. This happened after both groups faced cuts in funding. The South Australian government helped them with money to plan the merger.
They decided to create a new organization called ACE Open. The Australia Council, a government arts body, also gave money to help ACE Open get started. The new gallery opened its first exhibition on March 15, 2017. It featured paintings by a South Australian artist named Christian Lock.
What ACE Open Does
ACE Open is located in the Lion Arts Centre in North Terrace, Adelaide. This area is a hub for art. The center has a gallery, offices, and studios for artists. There is also a free space for events and workshops.
ACE Open holds many free exhibitions each year. They show art by artists from South Australia, other parts of Australia, and around the world. They also host events like artist talks, workshops, and film screenings. These events help people learn more about art and meet artists.
ACE Open is part of a group called Contemporary Art Organisations Australia (CAOA). This group connects art centers across Australia. CAOA helps promote the work of living artists. They also support small and medium-sized art groups.
Who Runs ACE Open
ACE Open has a team of people who manage the organization. The first CEO was Liz Nowell.
As of March 2021, Patrice Sharkey is the artistic director. Louise Dunn is the executive director. They work with a board of directors. The board includes artists, curators, and writers. They all help guide ACE Open and its programs.
