Adelaide is pressing its case as Australia's cultural capital
Where does Adelaide sit when it comes to Australia’s capital cities? Population-wise, it is fifth, regularly featuring in various ‘most liveable’ lists, long renowned for its churches and access to the Barossa Valley, and more recently, a thriving bar and dining scene. However, residents of the ‘festival state’ are quick to point to art as South Australia’s defining characteristic, spearheaded by the Adelaide Fringe, a month-long celebration of all things art and culture.
At first glance, it might seem difficult to claim Adelaide is the cultural benchmark among Australian cities. Sydney has the glitz and glamour of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, while Melbourne occupies a more low-key vibe with its laneways and caffeine obsession. Even Hobart, home to just 220,000 people and physically detached from the mainland, boasts the world-renowned MONA (Museum of Old and New Art).
Yet early in the year, there is nowhere else in the world a connoisseur of the arts would rather be than Adelaide. Now in its 57th year, the Fringe is a quintessential event on the South Australian calendar, featuring performances from thousands of artists in a variety of locations, representing the state’s commitment to the arts.
However, it is just one of a range of initiatives that promote an appreciation of art in South Australia. St Paul’s Creative Centre, a collaboration between the state government and Arts South Australia, launched at the end of 2014 and is the city’s foremost co-working space for creatives and entrepreneurs. St Paul’s also houses Fab Lab Adelaide (a digital fabrication workshop) and the SA Music Hall of Fame, and the space may well be a key shaper of Adelaide’s economy, which has taken hits in the past as university graduates relocate interstate to the likes of Melbourne and Sydney to find work in their field.
There’s also WOMADelaide for music lovers, which also takes place at the beginning of the year, the Art Gallery of South Australia and a host of other festivals dedicated to theatre, food, just about anything that can be construed as art. Sydney and Melbourne may attract the most external attention but Adelaide doing its utmost to close the gap.
To find out more about what is in store for the arts sector in South Australia, head to the ACS Seminars in Adelaide. Arts South Australia will be presenting and available to answer any questions you have.
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