Araluen Arts Centre
Araluen Arts Centre is the focal point of Alice Springs’ performing and visual arts scene, incorporating four galleries and a 487-seat theatre.
The annual theatre program includes performances by national touring companies and many high quality local productions. The theatre is also available for the presentation of corporate functions and conferences, in association with the function room and the galleries where suitable.
The galleries feature a program of exhibitions with a focus on Aboriginal art from Central Australia, and contemporary art by local and Australian artists.
The Albert Namatjira Gallery displays a rotating selection of paintings by this famous Aboriginal artist, his descendants and contemporaries. The gallery also features early works from Papunya and the “Hermannsburg School”.
Araluen Arts Centre was designed and built around the 300 year old Corkwood Tree in the Sculpture Garden. This tree, another at the front of the building and Big Sister Hill are also considered sacred by the Arrernte people.
Araluen’s Arthouse Cinema Program brings both national and international arthouse films and film festivals to the people of Alice Springs.
Many of the films screened during the year are associated with Oscar Award winning actors and directors, while many will have won various international film festival awards. Some of the films also go on to achieve a cult following amongst arthouse cinema goers.
May 2021
The Man in the Hat
UK | 2019 | Rated PG (Warning: Mild themes and sexual references) Directed by John-Paul Davidson, Stephen Warbeck Starring Ciarán Hinds, Stephen Dillane, Sasha Hails "Superb… funny, charming & wonderful" – Stephen Fry An astonishing feat of contemporary film-making that has just benefited from a successful UK theatrical release, The Man in the Hat is a beautifully framed odyssey of music, story-telling and silent comedy traversing the breath-taking landscapes of France. The Man in the Hat (Ciarán Hinds) journeys through France in a Fiat 500 accompanied by a…
Find out more »Queen Forever – Break Free 2021
Presented by The Music Group “Gareth Hill is Freddie Mercury reborn” Glenn A. Baker Let’s face it – We were all under pressure in 2020 – Soon now it’s time to break free and rock with Australia’s Most Popular Queen Show, Queen Forever. The essence of Queen is captured perfectly by Queen Forever fronted by a stunning portrayal of Freddie Mercury by the very popular Gareth Hill. Combined with Brian May’s unique guitar solos performed superbly by Scott Bastian, rich…
Find out more »June 2021
Yarning Myths and Legends: The 25th Alice Springs Beanie Festival
Presented by Alice Springs Beanie Festival Official Opening: 6:00pm, Friday 25 June Beanie Central: Friday 25 June - Monday 28 June Exhibition until Sunday 18 July The Alice Springs Beanie Festival, celebrating its 25th festival in 2021, is the stuff of legend. So it’s fitting that the year’s theme is Yarning Myths and Legends. Mythology and folklore are woven into our history, memory and culture, and they’ll be woven into the thousands of beanies, exhibition, workshops and events of the 25th Beanie Festival across the…
Find out more »July 2021
Advocate Art Award 2021
Presented by the Central Australian Art Society Official Opening: 6:00pm, Friday 30 July Exhibition until Sunday 15 August The Advocate Art Award returns for 2021. Coordinated and presented by the Central Australian Art Society (CAAS), a volunteer-run organisation in Alice Springs that has supported art and artists since 1963, the Advocate Art Award is their gala annual event, offering a number of significant prizes thanks to the generous sponsorship of local businesses, including the major non-acquisitive Chapman & Bailey Excellence Prize of $2500. With…
Find out more »August 2021
Carmen
Presented by Opera Australia and Araluen Arts Centre Sung in French with English surtitles Performed with a live chamber orchestra Directed by Matthew Barclay 7:30pm, Tuesday 3 & Wednesday 4 August Carmen is the femme fatale you can’t forget. In Bizet’s famous opera, she sings her sensual Habanera and lures Don José into her world. He gives up everything to follow her. But Carmen’s wandering eye has already found a new lover: the dashing bullfighter Escamillo. Don José’s jealousy is fierce.…
Find out more »Impermanence
Presented by Araluen Arts Centre and Sydney Dance Company A visceral and thrilling exploration of the juxtaposition of beauty and devastation, Sydney Dance Company’s full-length work, Impermanence is Rafael Bonachela’s newest creation. Contemporary composer, Bryce Dessner has composed a new score full of emotional power. Best known as a founder of American rock band The National and for his film scores for The Revenant and The Two Popes, Dessner was initially inspired by the tragedy of the Australian bush fires and the Notre-Dame fire in…
Find out more »BJORN AGAIN Mamma Mia Here We Go Again
Presented by The Music Group ‘If ABBA reformed they wouldn’t be as much fun as Bjorn Again’ Q Magazine UK Dust off those platform shoes, flares and sequinned jumpsuits and get ready to sing, dance and have the time of your life when the World’s Number One ABBA show BJORN AGAIN comes to town on their MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN! 2020 Australian Tour. Internationally acclaimed Bjorn Again will play all of ABBA’s biggest hits and more in an action-packed, highly-entertaining night of ABBA-SOLUTE fun for the whole family. You…
Find out more »September 2021
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Presented by Araluen Arts Centre and Bell Shakespeare By William Shakespeare Director Peter Evans "Bell Shakespeare has mastered the art of presenting Shakespeare in a manner that is accessible to the modern-day audience, while still endearing those who love the tradition." - Australian Stage Shakespeare’s classic comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is reawakened in this breathless production brimming with magic, mirth and mayhem. Love is in the air in Athens – and it’s contagious. Besides the royal wedding, which is just…
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