About Australian National Capital Artists Inc.

ANCA Inc. is a not-for-profit artist-run-initiative in Canberra that administers affordable facilities dedicated to production and exhibition of art.

ANCA was founded in 1989 with a mission of securing funding for art production and presentation facilities - the first organisation of its kind in Canberra. ANCA was the recipient of a federal grant that allowed the organisation to purchase land and construct two purpose-built artist studio campuses. Today, through many changes and iterations, ANCA is the largest affordable studio organisation in the ACT and is a vital artery for creative practice in the region.

ANCA operates across two campuses:

• 1 Rosevear Place, Dickson ACT (Dickson Studios, ANCA Gallery, ANCA Office)

• 96 Hoskins Street, Mitchell ACT (Mitchell Studios)

Gallery Hours: Friday to Sunday from 11-4pm (closed public holidays) and at additional times to accommodate openings, events and public programs. Entry to ANCA Gallery is free.

Gallery Accessibility: Wheelchair access on weekdays. Please get in contact with ANCA if we can assist with any access requirements.

Office: The ANCA office is staffed Monday to Friday and can be visited by appointment only.

Studios: ANCA studios are accessible by studio tenants, by appointment or during special events only.

Strategic Statements

Our Mission

Mission

ANCA champions the creative journeys of Canberra’s visual arts communities by providing affordable artist studios and a gallery space. Through ANCA, artists can share their visions with the broader Canberra community, enriching the city's cultural landscape.

Vision

ANCA envisions a Canberra where vibrant artist communities thrive and artistic careers are supported at every stage of practice. We seek to be a hub of exchange that connects artists within Canberra, and Canberra to the broader Australian arts community. In doing so, we foster collaboration, showcase diverse practices and inspire a passion for art in the wider community.

Our Values

Innovation

We foster an environment where artists, both in the studios and in the gallery, are empowered to take artistic risks, experiment, explore and grow in their practice. We embrace new ways of working to better fulfill our mission and embody our values.

Community

Community is at the heart of ANCA. We honour the diversity of our studio tenants, members, and exhibiting artists, while also embracing the wider networks of audiences, patrons, partners, and interstate collaborators. In all that we do, we strive to strengthen these connections and create meaningful experiences that enrich the community within ANCA and the broader arts ecosystem.

Sustainability

We are committed to sustainability in every sense. We work to ensure ANCA’s financial resilience, securing our future to continue to grow as a not-for-profit and artist-run organisation. We minimise our environmental impact across all areas of our operations where possible.

Integrity

We act with honesty, fairness and respect in all aspects of our work. Our decisions are guided by openness and accountability to ensure ANCA remains a supportive and transparent space for artists and audiences. We acknowledge challenges and learn from them, maintaining integrity in how we create, collaborate and share art with our community.

Governance

ANCA is an artist-run members association with studios and a gallery, governed by a board of management with up to 9 board members, 4 of whom are current ANCA studio artists. Offices of the board are Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer, with additional members committees for Dickson Maintenance, Mitchell Maintenance, and New Members.

ANCA produces a detailed annual report, which is delivered to all ANCA members. Each year, ANCA’s finances are audited by an independent accountant, and the resulting documentation is included in ANCA’s annual report. The annual report and audit are presented to the members of ANCA at the Annual General Meeting of the organisation.

ANCA operates as an incorporated association with Deductible Gift Recipient status, and is a charity recognised by the ACNC and ACT.