2025 marks fifty years since the Institute of Modern Art opened its doors in Brisbane.

A glance at our history reveals a unique social space designated to not just experiment with aesthetic expression of contemporary life, but as a location to contend with ideas, emotions, and beliefs about who we are and who we want to be.

A series of forums will tighten connections between past and present. Eyewitness accounts, secret histories, resuscitated repartee, acute retorts, anachronisms, and revisions will be encouraged—and the truth of the IMA uncovered.

Anniversary Publication

Sally Butler from The University of Queensland’s art history program is leading a team of research assistants, supported by the IMA staff, in the creation of a richly layered anniversary publication. The book will draw from the IMA’s expansive archives—from spirited board meeting minutes to cranky notes about insufficient funding, inadequate installations and outraged visitors—to trace its fifty-year history

It’s a fascinating journey abounding with continuity, paradox, and contradiction: critiquing conventional institutions of art museums and art markets whilst also deeply embedded in them; taking risks but maintaining standards of excellence; balancing exhibition of local talent with its national and global context.

To be released in 2026.