2025 has been a huge year for ADC producing and presenting 18 exhibitions in Sydney, 14 exhibitions across Australia and internationally; more than 100 events, a city-wide festival and loads of digital content.

We've had our fair share of media coverage, not all of it, surprisingly, about funding! And so many wonderful interactions with people who love what we do and value the windows into creative practice that we present.

While we have forecast the decision to close this small but vital institution in June 2026 after 62 years, we are still hopeful of securing the base level funding commitment of $350,000 per annum we need for two years to enable us to reverse our position. 

Many people have asked me how they can help and there are two ways:

1. Connect us with anyone you think might have capacity to save ADC with much-needed funding.

2. Complete this short survey by 12 December 2025 to tell us what you value about ADC and the impact the closure may have on you. This will help us to continue to our advocacy work. 

On behalf of everyone on the ADC team and volunteer board, I want to acknowledge and thank all the people we have had the pleasure of connecting with this year. There are too many to mention individually but we are grateful to the hundreds of artists, project, festival and tour partners, donors and supporters, funding partners and the huge number of visitors who have attended an ADC exhibition or event or shopped craft and design in our retail store or at a market event. 

Wishing everyone a very happy festive season and a relaxing and creative break. 

Lisa Cahill
Executive Director (CEO and Artistic Director)

Festive Giving and Holiday Hours

For your festive gift buying this year we have lots of amazing craft and design work available both in Object Shop and the current exhibitions. Support Australian makers and buy local this Christmas.

Australian Design Centre will be closed from 20 December 2025 and reopen on 6 January 2026.

Any Object Shop purchases made online after the 19 December 2025 will be shipped or can be collected after 6 January 2026. 

Images:
The Story So Far Opening at ADC, 2025., In Profile Opening at ADC, 2025., MAKE Award Opening Night at ADC,2025., Second-Look Legacy Opening Night at ADC, 2025., Vipoo Srivilasa with his artwork, Goddess of Independence, 2024. Object Shop, 2025. Photos by Jacquie Manning.