Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art is the only museum of its kind in Australia
At the Museum of Contemporary Art, which opened in 1991 in the The Rocks, you can explore a wide variety of contemporary art work. Contemporary art is, generally speaking, any art that is modern in theme or created within the last 40 or so years. It uses a wide variety of mediums, some even hi-tech, which means you will discover some truly unique and interesting forms of art here.
The museum was made possible by a bequest to the University of Sydney by the late John Power for the purpose of informing and educating Australians about the contemporary and visual arts. Subsequently, when the Maritime Services Board vacated their building in the Rocks for larger premises, the government of New South Wales donated the building which, after renovations, became the home of the Museum. It is also the only Museum of Contemporary Arts in all of Australia.
Between 2011 and 2012 the museum shut down for extensive renovations, which are now complete and make the museum better than ever. Admission to the museum is free with the exception of the occasional special exhibit.
Nearby attractions include: The Rocks, Sydney Observatory, Customs House, Justice and Police Museum, and Museum of Sydney.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: No, except for some special exhibitions.Museum of Contemporary Art Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
Phone: (02) 9245 2400
Official Website: Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum of Contemporary Art Reviews
Rated out of 5
Had a great time at the special exhibits at the museum. From the front desk buying tickets, to the coat check, to the staff throughout the building, everyone was nice and helpful. Find the cutest sitting area overlooking the Opera House in there too. And the art... doesn't disappoint! Highly recommend a visit!
Jessica Harden - 2 months ago
Really enjoyed visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia! Even if you’re not usually into contemporary art, it’s a fascinating place to explore and experience different perspectives through creative and thought-provoking exhibitions.
I loved how diverse the artworks were, ranging from paintings and sculptures to immersive installations that encouraged visitors to interact and reflect. Every gallery felt unique, and there was always something unexpected around the corner.
The location is also fantastic, right by Circular Quay with beautiful harbour views. Be sure to visit the rooftop café, the view of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge is absolutely stunning. A great place to spend a few hours soaking in art, culture, and some of the best views in Sydney. 🎨✨🏛️🌊📸
Nikita Kimberly - 4 months ago
View @ Museum Of Contemporary Art Australia.
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Dedicated to the 'art of now', this tall art-deco style museum opened in 1991, on the traditional land of the Aboriginal Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
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The quirky exhibits here invoke thought, leveraging multimedia, colours, stories, and soundscapes to jog the imagination.
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Exhibits are regularly refreshed so there's always something new. During our visit, the highlights included the 'Data Dreams: Art And AI' series of AI art, 'Yasmin Smith: Elemental Life' of zen-like ceramic sculptures, 'Loop. A Model Of How The World Operates' light installation with painting by Brook Andrew, and the 'Tjanpi Desert Weavers' sculpture series.
Ivan Teh - 5 months ago
Attended an AI event at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, more familiarly known as the MCA. Before the evening event on a Friday night, there was a Welcome to Country that included a smoking ceremony. Inside the MCA, there was a bar selling reasonably priced beverages and light snacks, a DJ, a hologram, and various speakers. This was a ticketed event that access to the exhibits that were on. The MCA houses large installations as well as smaller works of art. It regularly offers speakers and is open late until 9 pm / 21h on Thursdays. Conveniently located in the Rocks, near the CBD and Circular Quay. Highly recommend
Nanita - 3 months ago
Directions
| Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| L2, T2, T3, T8 or Ferry | Circular Quay | 3 minutes |
How to get to Museum of Contemporary Art by
By Train or Ferry: exit at Circular Quay Station and proceed west. The Museum of Contemporary Art is located in the park at the western edge of the Quay adjacent to the end of Wharf #6.
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Photo Gallery
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A colorful piece created from inflating a structure made of textiles cc licensed photo by Newtown grafitti -
Photo Credit: VirtualWolf - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: VirtualWolf - cc license via Flickr -
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Photo Credit: ahisgett - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: ahisgett - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Dushan Hanuska - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Dushan Hanuska - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Dushan Hanuska - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dbaron - cc license via Flickr
