As South Australia’s principal performing arts venue, we welcome more than a million people of all ages, experiences and cultures into our theatres, restaurants and gallery spaces each year.
The people who visit us are as diverse as the theatre, dance, music, exhibitions and festivals we present. The one thing they all have in common is they come to be inspired, challenged, educated and, of course, entertained!
When it was first established in 1973, Adelaide Festival Centre was Australia’s first capital city arts venue. It continues to be one of Asia Pacific’s leading cultural centres, and the heart of the arts in South Australia.
We remain as committed as ever to supporting and co-presenting a vast array of events, including some of the world’s biggest touring musicals for the people of South Australia.
Adelaide Festival Centre is home to: Adelaide Festival, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, State Opera of South Australia, Australian Dance Theatre, State Theatre Company South Australia, Windmill Theatre, The Australian Ballet, Brink, Restless Dance Theatre, Slingsby, Patch Theatre Company and No Strings Attached.
Our contribution to the economy
A 2017 Ernst and Young report found that the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust contributed more than $160million in economic and social impact, and led to the creation of 1,076 jobs in Greater Adelaide in the space of just 12 months.
The $107.8 million economic contribution to the Greater Adelaide economy represented a return of more than $8 on every dollar the government invested in operating and activity funding.
The report also recognised the importance of encouraging “greater social cohesion in the community”, and valued Adelaide Festival Centre’s significant social contribution at $52.4million.
The 2017 report was based on the 2015/2016 year.
Breathing new life into Her Majesty’s Theatre
Located on Grote Street in the central market precinct, the renovation of the theatre originally known as The New Tivoli Theatre when it first opened in 1913, has been one of Australia’s most exciting theatre projects. Her Majesty’s Theatre re-opened in 2020 and was not only immensely popular with theatre-goers, but subsequently won numerous awards including:
- Australian Institute of Building (AIB) National Professional Excellence in Building Awards 2021: Commercial Construction $60M+ – Hansen Yuncken
- Master Builders Association (MBA) National Excellence in Building and Construction Awards 2021: Commercial/Industrial Construction $50M-$100M – Hansen Yuncken
- Master Builders Association (MBA) South Australia Excellence in Building and Construction Awards 2021: Interior /Finishes Commercial – JRCM Commercial Joinery ; Commercial/Industrial Construction $50M-$100M – Hansen Yuncken
- Australian Institute of Building (AIB) SA and NT Professional Excellence in Building Awards 2021: Commercial Construction $60M+ – Hansen Yuncken; Professional Excellence – Hansen Yuncken’s Chris Cavenett, Her Majesty’s Theatre Project Manager
- Australian Institute of Architects SA 2021: City of Adelaide Prize – COX Architecture; David Saunders Award for Heritage Architecture – COX Architecture; Jack McConnell Award for Public Architecture – COX Architecture
Adelaide: UNESCO City of Music
In 2015 Adelaide became Australia’s first, and only, UNESCO City of Music and has joined a network of 295 cities globally including 59 Cities of Music.
Adelaide is home to countless independent musicians, an entrepreneurial music industry, and a plethora of live music venues, and this title was awarded in recognition of the quality, diversity and commitment to music and creativity in our city over many decades.
It acknowledges our city’s intentions and attitude as displayed by our leadership, as well as the central role of music in our history and culture.
Quite rightly, we are admired for our world-class music and arts festivals, leading music education and performance institutions.
Adelaide is a Creative City, with music as its heartbeat, enriching the entire state of South Australia.
To find out more, visit: adelaidecityofmusic.com.au.