The Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney. The MCA for short. On the harbour. Free entry to the permanent collection. Special exhibitions add buzz. Good café. Worth a visit.
Situated right on Sydney harbour and overlooking Sydney Opera House, the MCA is a brilliant place to go to for lots of reasons.
The art, of course, both Australian and international. But also to hang out in the cafe courtyard, with its intimate view over the Rocks and Sydney Harbour Bridge. But also to discover modern art gifts in the museum shop.
Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney
The MCA is the only museum in Australia wholly dedicated to collecting and showing contemporary art. The focus is on Australian art.
One floor is dedicated to the permanent collection. Discover Australian artists and get a feel for the diversity of Australian contemporary art.
The permanent collection in the Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney emphasises the past 30 years in Australian art. It includes significant work by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. It’s not the only show in town though, the Art Gallery of New South Wales also has very fine Aboriginal and contemporary art.
The MCA’s collection includes film, video, photography, collage and performance art.
You can delve more deeply into the ideas behind the art in the resource area. It houses a contemporary art archive among other things – a valuable resource for art lovers, students and researchers alike.
And don’t overlook the cafe at the Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney – it’s one of the highlights! Have a coffee or light meal on the terrace overlooking the harbour and Opera House. Sit back and watch the ferries come and go. It’s terrific.
Special Exhibitions
The Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney regularly hosts pop up displays and special exhibitions.
The MCA’s program incorporates site-specific commissions by Australian artists in a variety of media. Including painting, sculpture and video. Also performance and participatory art.
Check their calendar to see what’s on when you’re in Sydney.
If you’re interested in the creative thinking behind a special exhibition, or in pursuing its deeper implications, join one of the regular Saturday afternoon talks at the MCA from 1400-1500 (2-3pm).
Just check to make sure there’s one on before you go.
Modern Art Gifts
The museum shop is just the place to pick up non-kitsch modern art gifts to take back home.
Details
ADDRESS
140 George Street
The Rocks
Tel: +61 2 9245 2400
OPENING HOURS
1000-1700 (10am-5pm) every day except
THURSDAY: 1000 – 2100 (10am-9pm)
Closed Christmas Day.
There are free daily guided tours. And download the app to introduce you to the MCA’s Collection, exhibitions and activities. You can even create your own online gallery with it.
So definitely add the Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney to your itinerary. It’s central, it’s free and it might just open a window into the contemporary Australian art scene for you.
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Sydney’s annual exhibition of modern art portraits from late July to early October at the AGNSW. It’s the Archibalds of course, Australia’s most popular, and most controversial, art prize.