Traditional Ownership
Alice Springs is located on the traditional lands of the Arrernte people, who refer to the area as Mparntwe. The landscape in and around the town is deeply significant to Arrernte culture, containing numerous registered sacred sites. Arrernte culture, language, and knowledge systems remain highly visible and central to the town's identity.
The Aboriginal Arts Industry
The town is a global hub for Aboriginal art, acting as the commercial and logistical centre for artists from the Western Desert and Central Australia. The local economy is supported by a network of town-based galleries and Indigenous-owned art centres. These centres not only sell paintings, textiles, and wood carvings but also function as community hubs for remote communities.
Institutions and Events
The Araluen Cultural Precinct is the town's premier institutional arts facility, incorporating the Araluen Arts Centre, the Museum of Central Australia, and the Strehlow Research Centre. The precinct hosts major touring exhibitions, theatrical performances, and an extensive permanent collection of regional art. Throughout the year, Alice Springs also hosts various cultural festivals that draw local and interstate audiences, celebrating both Indigenous heritage and the distinct settler-pioneer history of the region.