The Australasian Centre for Contemporary Design opened in 1985 in a large converted warehouse in Nowhere, Melbourne and led the way as Australia’s first combined gallery and studio complex. As Melbourne’s leading centre for contemporary art and design ideas, ACCD has continued to build on its innovative origins, growing to facilitate the expanding field of contemporary art through a wide variety of exhibition, studio, curatorial and education programs. With the art and design firmly placed at the centre of all of our activities, we are positioned at the nexus between the production of contemporary art through our studio programs, and its presentation through our exhibitions and publications. 
Since 1985 we have accumulated a vast alumni of past exhibiting and studio artists and designers including some of Australia’s leading names in contemporary art.In fact every artist who has represented Australia at the Venice Biennial since 1999 has either held a studio or participated in an exhibition at ACCD. This select community of Australia’s most pivotal contemporary artists has expanded in recent years to include our increasing international presence, with leading artists and curators from all over the world exhibiting in our galleries and staying in our studios. As a key generator for ideas in Australia, and with the momentum of our history behind us, ACCD is now the oldest, continually running contemporary art and design centre in Australia.