The gallery was founded in an old petrol station in 1989, giving rise to the name "24HR Art".
[1] Artist Suzanne Spunner was a member of the inaugural board and the programming committee, and wrote reviews and programmes for the exhibits as well as creating works for exhibitions there.
[6] The NCCA is the only independent public gallery in the Northern Territory wholly dedicated to contemporary art.
It showcases contemporary Aboriginal art as well as non-Aboriginal art and artists, and runs an annual exhibition and public program that helps to support artists and other cultural programs in Darwin.
[7] As of January 2022[update] the director of the centre is Petrit Abazi.