Welcome to Central Craft

Central Craft is a community-run artist cooperative and not-for-profit organisation based in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). Located within the Araluen Cultural Precinct, we provide a multi-purpose studio, gallery, and makers’ retail outlet, serving as the region’s leading hub for craft and design. As the only technical support base for artists within a 1,500 km radius, we advocate for and support makers by offering professional development, networking, and promotional opportunities.

Our purpose-built studio, maintained for over 40 years, is the preferred regional workshop, featuring specialist equipment for ceramics, textiles, eco-dyeing, jewellery, fibre, glass, printmaking, weaving, and new media. We facilitate a diverse program of craft workshops, artist residencies, and community craft groups, fostering collaboration, skill-sharing, and artistic growth. Welcoming makers of all skill levels, we connect local and interstate artists while encouraging broad community participation across all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

For 50 years, Central Craft has played a key role in growing and profiling the NT arts sector. Our flagship initiative, the Alice Craft Acquisition (ACA), is a nationally recognised juried exhibition and collection of over 300 significant craft and design pieces.

By connecting and advocating for the creative community of Central Australia, Central Craft remains a vital force in supporting, preserving, and promoting traditional and contemporary craft across the region.

Our History

Est. 1974

Central Craft has a 50-year history in Central Australia and is one of the pioneering community arts institutions of the Northern Territory. The association has structurally changed a number of

times throughout its history, most recently in 2007, when Central Craft split from Territory Craft (based in Darwin) to enable independent growth. June Marriott was a foundation member of Central Craft (then the Craft Association) in 1974 and was its first Treasurer. It was mainly through her efforts that the National Craft Awards (now the Alice Craft Acquisition) was instituted in 1975.

During 1976 and 1977, June was President of Territory Craft, and was involved in establishing the first three temporary premises. She also organised weekly Fibre Craft Days and the first Craftsman in the Community Project. June was dedicated to increasing community awareness in craft activities, and to helping people develop their interests and abilities.

June had a profound influence on craft in Alice Springs; and she set the tone for the way Central Craft functions through her deep and extensive knowledge of her craft. In 1981 the first Corkwood Festival was held at Chateau Hornsby and in 1983 a more permanent home was found for the association in the old Connellan Airways Mess, next to the Araluen Centre. In 1988 a major collaborative tapestry project was undertaken, and in 1996 the Association opened the June Marriott Gallery in recognition of founding member June Marriott’s vision.