About the MCA
Welcome to the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), Australia’s leading museum dedicated to exhibiting, collecting and interpreting the work of today’s artists.
We celebrate the work of living artists, bringing exceptional exhibitions of international and Australian art to as many people as possible – welcoming over a million visitors each year – in the belief that art is for everyone.
Our vision is to make contemporary art and ideas widely accessible to a range of audiences through the presentation of a diverse program of exhibitions and special events, both onsite and offsite. From major thematic exhibitions and solo surveys of established artists, to new work by emerging artists, touring exhibitions and community-led projects through C3West, we strive to cover the range and diversity of contemporary art.
Located on one of the world’s most spectacular sites on the edge of Sydney Harbour, the MCA stands on a land of immense cultural and historical significance to the traditional owners of this place, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. The wonderful artwork Warrangby Brook Andrew, situated at the entrance of the Museum on Circular Quay, helps to inform visitors of the relevance of our site.
The MCA Collection contains over 4000 works by Australian artists that have been acquired since 1989, with a strong commitment to works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. The Museum collects across all art forms with holdings in painting, photography, sculpture, works on paper and moving image.
Admission to our galleries, cafe and temporary exhibitions is free (admission fees apply to our major summer exhibition, the Sydney International Art Series).
Every day, in our National Centre for Creative Learning, we deliver programs using creative learning strategies to help audiences of all ages to engage with contemporary art, explore creativity and reflect on ideas and issues. It’s a space where change can take place, in all sorts of ways, to become rooms of wonder, activity, display and making.
We work in and with communities from many other sites across Australia. We take pride in acknowledging the role of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as traditional owners and ongoing custodians of country.
The MCA is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation. Each year, we raise 70% of our income from non-government sources such as donations, corporate sponsorship, venue hire, ticketed exhibitions and events.