Exhibitions
The City of Adelaide celebrates and elevates contemporary art practice and highlights significant moments in Adelaide’s History through exhibitions and displays throughout the Adelaide Town Hall.
Discover the City of Adelaide’s Contemporary Collection and a series of displays showcasing aspects of our past as we explore and reinterpret our collections.
Current Exhibitions
Purkarari: Slow Down
'Purkarari: Slow down' is an exhibition of major new works by Zaachariaha Fielding alongside collaborative paintings created with Senior artists working out of the APY Studio in Adelaide. Rooted in the Pitjantjatjara word Purkarari, meaning a deep calm through work, Fielding explores the meditative act of creation in partnership with celebrated artists Sandra Pumani, Yaritji Tingila Young, Nyunmiti Burton, Jennifer Ingkatji, Yaritji Heffernan, Margaret Richards, and Megan Lyons. Together, their work speaks to the restorative nature of painting—where movement, expression, and shared creativity quiet the mind and strengthen cultural connections.
Widely recognised for his musical achievements as one half of the acclaimed duo Electric Fields, Fielding is also an award-winning visual artist whose bold and expressive work continues to gain national and international recognition.
Presented by City of Adelaide as Adelaide marks 10 years as Australia’s first and only UNESCO City of Music, and following Electric Fields being awarded the Key to the City, the exhibition is a powerful tribute to connection, creativity, and Country.
With thanks to Tarnanthi Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art, Art Gallery of South Australia, APY Art Centre Collective, Hugo Michell Gallery and Jan Murphy Gallery. Tarnanthi is presented by the Art Gallery of South Australia with Principal Partner BHP and support from the Government of South Australia.
South Australian Music Hall of Fame
Adelaide is a city with music as its heartbeat - home to thriving independent artists, iconic venues, and a dynamic industry. Internationally renowned for its festivals and music institutions, music is central to South Australia's identity and economy. Presented by the City of Adelaide across two levels of Adelaide Town Hall this exhibition celebrates Adelaide's 10-year milestone as Australia's only UNESCO City of Music in 2025.
Founded in 2009, the South Australian Music Hall of Fame honours the people and places that have shaped the state's distinctive sound. To date, more than 160 individuals, 24 bands, and 17 venues have been inducted.
Explore rare memorabilia from the collection of radio legend David 'Daisy' Day, archival material from the State Library of South Australia, vintage guitars, historic sound equipment, gig photography, and honour boards featuring icons like Cold Chisel, The Angels, No Fixed Address, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and more. Curated playlists and the Adelaide: Your Guide to our City of Music map help bring these stories to life through sound and place.
From rock and pop to community radio and classical innovation—this is the soundtrack of South Australia.
Adelaide Town Hall is a dynamic civic and cultural centre. At times, the exhibition may be inaccessible due to events. Contact Adelaide Town Hall before visiting to avoid disappointment.
This exhibition is made possible thanks to these contributors – Annette Day, John Bywaters, Gary Burrows, Gareth Lewis, Peter Millen, Three D Radio, State Library of South Australia, Dr Enrico Morena, Johnny Mac OAM, Rick Brewster, Graham ‘Buzz’ Bidstrup, Sue Hedley and Peter Thurmer.
Curated by Anna Goodhind
Beatles Take Adelaide
See the fun frenzy and fashion of the weekend Beatlemania hit Adelaide in 1964 to celebrate 60 years since the band’s historic visit to Adelaide.
Memorabilia, newspaper clippings and photography of the record-breaking crowd captured by photographer Vic Grimmett provide an insight into the Beatles visit to Adelaide where the band were met by the biggest crowd of their career when a third of Adelaide’s population turned out. An estimated 300,000 people lined the streets from the Airport to the Adelaide Town Hall where a civic reception was held, ahead of a series of concerts at Wayville’s Centennial Hall on June 12 and 13 1964.
Thanks goes to the Adelaide City Archives and the State Library of South Australia.
