Fifty Years of the Institute of Modern Art
In 2025, the Institute of Modern Art (IMA) marks fifty years as a critical platform for contemporary art and ideas in Australia. Since opening its doors in Brisbane in 1975, the IMA has championed experimental practices in work by local and international artists. This major milestone is celebrated through a dynamic program of forums, performances and archival activations that delve into the institution’s past while imagining its future. Eyewitness accounts, radical reimaginings and unscripted interventions come together to form an evolving portrait of an institution shaped by artists pushing boundaries. As a site of cultural conversation and creative inquiry, the IMA has played a vital role in shaping Australia’s contemporary art ecology. The anniversary year honours that legacy while inviting critical reflection on its complexities. Part celebration, part provocation, Fifty Years of the Institute of Modern Art affirms the IMA’s enduring commitment to artists and audiences who seek to engage with the urgent questions of our time. Celebrations take place from July 19, 2025 culminating with the IMA Gala on October 31 at The Calile.
Image credit: Institute of Modern Art (IMA), Meanjin/Brisbane Photo: Meg Keene
