The Australian Design Centre (ADC), established in 1964, is an independent not-for-profit organization that has showcased the work of Australian artisans. These have included the Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Lola Greeno, and ceramicist Prue Venables.
The ADC is facing closure in June following the cessation of government funding. The organization's board also announced in October that it would cease operations in 2026 if funding issues were not resolved. The current exhibition, "Second Look — Legacy," is noted as potentially its final presentation.
Impact of Closure
The potential cessation of ADC operations would result in New South Wales becoming the sole Australian state without a dedicated craft and design organization. Additionally, the Sydney Craft Week Festival, an annual event managed by the ADC, would be at risk. Lisa Cahill, CEO of the ADC, stated that the closure would affect artists and the community engaged with craft and design.
The ADC requires a minimum of $350,000 annually to sustain its operations. As of the reporting date, no alternative funding has been secured. The closure would mean the discontinuation of 18 exhibitions annually in Sydney, a touring program that takes artists' work nationally and internationally, and the Object Shop, which provides a sales platform for approximately 150 makers, many of whom have no other retail outlets. The ADC also serves as a platform for emerging and mid-career artists to transition towards larger gallery exhibitions.
Second Look — Legacy Exhibition
The "Second Look — Legacy" exhibition invites artists to re-examine or re-imagine previous works and familiar materials. The exhibition was conceived by textile artists Liz Williamson and Barbara Rogers, with its inaugural show held at Barometer Gallery in Sydney in 2021. The exhibition's move to the ADC for its fourth iteration was facilitated by CEO Lisa Cahill to provide a larger space and extended exhibition period, allowing for an increased number of participating artists.
The "Legacy" aspect of the title references Liz Williamson, an influential figure in Australian textile art who died in 2024. Williamson's career included extensive travel that informed her interest in textile art, subsequent study, establishment of a studio in Sydney, and roles as Head of the School of Design Studies at the College of Fine Arts at UNSW (2008-2013) and a lecturer in textiles until 2020. The ADC hosted a solo exhibition of her work, "Liz Williamson: Textiles," in 2008, which toured regionally.
Williamson's family has loaned pieces from her "Thrum series" for the current exhibition. In weaving, "thrum" refers to leftover threads that can be repurposed. Her series utilizes ends of woven works created decades prior.
Among the 21 artists featured is Stephanie Beaupark, a Ngugi artist and scientist. Beaupark, a trained chemist pursuing a PhD in Indigenous plant dyes, integrates Western scientific methods with Indigenous knowledge in her artistic practice. Her installation, "Untitled (Jagun)," uses eucalyptus-dyed wool, hair, and plant matter derived from Dharawal Country.
Funding Context
The ADC board's October announcement regarding the 2026 closure followed its failure to secure funding from federal and New South Wales state governments. This occurred despite the organization being assessed as suitable for funding during the peer-assessment process. Other arts organizations also experienced similar funding reductions.
CEO Lisa Cahill cited the competitive nature of funding rounds and the government's stated priorities, which did not include craft and design.
The "Second Look — Legacy" exhibition is scheduled to run at the Australian Design Centre until February 28, 2026.