Watch This Space (WTS) is an artist-led organisation established in 1993, manifesting publicly as a vital collective resource in Mparntwe. It is a site for experimentation, artistic expression, critical conversation and making. It is a place to make show & participate in art that is in constant conversation.

Watch This Space (WTS) is located in Mparntwe/Alice Springs on Arrernte Country. We pay respect to its traditional custodians, the Arrernte people, who continue to nurture and care for this apmere/country/home. WTS recognises that colonisation is still happening, now and across the country, and acknowledges that sovereignty has never been ceded.

WTS believes that art’s definition has broad and soft boundaries, and that everyone is invited. It is an artist-run initiative, where artists like their galleries to also be dance floors, cinemas, zine fairs, basketball courts, libraries and language classes; the artists are often interested in recognising arts inherent connection to politics, play and experimentation.

It is lucky to exist in the middle of a small town on Central Arrernte country, rich in artists with a rich history of thousands of years of creative making. This small town lies in the middle of the Central Desert region, richer still. This area is in the middle of the continent, affording WTS a unique proximity to here and elsewhere, connecting us to remote, rural and urban spaces alike.

WTS aims to present alternatives to institutionalisation, tokenization, and over-professionalisation of artists and the arts. It has been alive for 30 years, since then moving through many sites and seasons. It is currently based at 8 Gap Road, where it hosts a program of projects, workshops, film screenings, exhibitions and residencies. Many people make up its moving parts: currently one director, one project & admin support officer, eight studio artists, a First Nations advisory board, a strong membership base, curatorial committee, board of directors, and a volunteer crew both incidental and veterans. Many artists and collaborators joined in for one project and stayed for another, continuously moving with, and shapeshifting WTS - would you like to join?

VISION
Watch This Space is a vital and valued collective resource for experimentation, artistic expression, critical thought and conversations.

PURPOSE
Providing access for making and experimentation, skill-sharing and education, WTS operates as a host for people and practices, conversations, resistance and ideas.

VALUES
Responsiveness
Continually re-imagine and re-form in response to the needs and desires of our community.
Radical Openness
Curious and sensitive to what is yet to be known, what may need to be un-known, and what is not for all to know.
Nurturing
Experimentation within artistic practice, both locally and afar.
Collaboration
Together, with integrity and joy.
Responsibility Transparency, empathy and care to build trust.