Devoted to the development of certain new ideas and practices in contemporary art and culture, since the early 1980s Artspace has been building a critical context for Australian and international artists, curators and writers.

[1] In December 2023, Artspace reopened following a transformation into a landmark multi-platform contemporary art centre with expanded exhibition spaces and an increased number of rent-free artist studios.

Founded in response to commercial galleries and major national collecting institutions, Artspace was conceived as an alternative exhibition space committed to working with emerging and early-career artists.

[9] Artspace opened at its Surry Hills location with its first major exhibition ‘A Different Perspective’ curated by Terence Maloon in conjunction with the Multicultural Artists Agency.

In its early years, Artspace exhibited works by then-early career artists including Mikala Dwyer, Rosemary Laing, Lindy Lee, Banduk Marika, Tracey Moffatt, John Nixon, Michael Riley, Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula.

[10] The now heritage listed site was originally erected as a bulk store for the Sydney Morning Herald at the turn of the 20th Century, and later used by the Commonwealth Government for defence purposes until its decommissioning in 1948.

Recent presentations of the Biennale at Artspace have included the works of Ai Weiwei, Ibrahim Mahama, Karen Mirza and Brad Butler.

[21] The 23rd Biennale of Sydney, titled rīvus, was presented under the artistic direction of José Roca with Artspace curator Talia Linz forming the curatorium.

The One Year Studio Program provides artists with the space to test new ideas and engage with Australian and international peer networks and audiences.

[27] While Artspace's premises have been under redevelopment, the fellowship has been presented in tandem with fellow Sydney institutions the National Art School and Carriageworks.

International practitioners who have been presented in the program include Diana Campbell Betancourt, Asad Raza, Pavel S. Pyś, Laura Raicovich, Radhika Subramaniam and Susanne Pfeffer.