ACA

In 1987, Dean Carey’s belief in establishing a fully functioning arts community and education facility was realised.

At 27 years of age, Dean had returned from teaching across America and saw the gap in Australia in supporting artists established and emerging. He gathered a team of Australia’s finest artists, teachers and directors, and ACA was born.

For the next 28 years in an abandoned 1880’s church in Surry Hills, NSW, extraordinary things evolved. The passion, commitment and craft of all of those who taught there and also the administrators of ACA was nothing short of exemplary and inspirational.

“It gives me enormous pleasure to offer my congratulations to ACA for the best teaching this country of ours has ever experienced. ACA has concentrated entirely on opening windows to young drama students in order to give their talent the means to fly.”
— George Ogilvie A.M.

Across that time, the one year course known as, The Journey, was born, and in 2000, Dean transformed the course into a 2.5 year Accredited Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts and ACA became a Registered Training Organisation.

Thousands of people can look back over those near 3 decades of sustained creative drive and achievement with pride and with gratitude. Stand-out shows and events lit up the venue month after month, year after year, establishing the venue and company as an icon in the Sydney theatrical landscape.

In 2015, Dean moved the organisation into a 12 million dollar performing arts facility in Leichhardt, and shortly after, he and the teaching team evolved the Diploma and established a Degree Program, in partnership with Torrens University Australia.

Today ACA stands strong and proud, because of its commitment to community, culture, contribution and to service.

Dean’s vision and legacy is firmly in place — driven by a belief in the power of the arts, a commitment to honour and serve every person’s artistic journey, and with a view of helping to create a powerful, strong and sustainable future industry.

“ACA has made a significant contribution to Australia’s theatrical life [and] has also made a significant local contribution, with its involvement in youth mentorship programs and support of local schools and community organisations.”
— Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney

For all information about ACA, its history, staff, programs and initiatives, go to: actorscentreaustralia.com.au