Things to do in Northern Territory, Australia: The Best Art Museums

Birthplace of the Western Desert dot-painting movement, Papunya is the home of our 100% Aboriginal owned and directed art centre. Papunya Tjupi Arts emerged in 2007 and has since been the site of a renaissance in Papunya painting. Our artists feature in public and private collections internationally. Visit us to learn about our Tjukurrpa (dreaming) and purchase acrylic paintings of all sizes.

Tangentyere Artists Gallery is open Monday to Friday at 16 Fogarty St, Alice Springs. We are an Aboriginal owned and run Art Centre. Tangentyere Artist support new, emerging and established artists through our studio, gallery and outreach program. We also work with Indigenous artists visiting town from remote communities, offering Aboriginal artists a safe place where they can sit down to paint.

The Araluen Cultural Precinct is home to some of the most significant artistic, cultural and historical experiences in Alice Springs and provides a unique visitor experience, encompassing Central Australia’s key cultural institutions and collections. In its four galleries and 500 seat theatre, the Araluen Arts Centre presents an annual program of exhibitions, theatre, and film. The Araluen Galleries showcase the beginning and continuing development of the contemporary Aboriginal art movement, particularly of the Central and Western Desert. The Araluen Art Collection includes significant original watercolours by Albert Namatjira in his artistic response to the Central Australian landscape. A “keeping place of stories”, the Araluen Cultural Precinct offers a rich experience set amongst important Arrernte sites significant to the local Arltyerre (Dreaming) including yaye (Big sister hill), yaye akweke (Little sister hill) and a sacred 300-year-old corkwood tree.

Lots to see at Mbantua Art Gallery in Alice Springs! Our specialty lies in fine artwork from the Utopia region of Central Australia. If you are after larger pieces of art, or looking for an investment piece, we also have the Mbantua Lane Showcase Gallery which you can view on request. In addition to our paintings, we have created a range of souvenirs and gifts called Utopia Australia Giftware. These items are made using our very own art designs. Royalties are paid to the artists giving them a continuing stream of income. In the Gallery you will also find unique giftwares and jewellery sourced from around Australia including sandstone art from Coober Pedy. When visiting Alice Springs, make sure you have plenty of time to browse through our extensive range of art!

We welcome you to Western Aranda country. Come, share our stories, our art and our history, enjoy your visit here. From here you can explore the Finke Gorge National Park and beyond.

Djilpin Arts is a not for profit Aboriginal Corporation based in Beswick, Northern Territory, Australia. With 100% Indigenous membership it works to maintain, develop and transmit traditional cultural knowledge through performance and visual arts.