Artspace opened the gallery doors of its first premises in Surry Hills in 1983. From that moment on Artspace has supported critical and experimental practices across media and cultures. Artspace moved to its present location at the Gunnery Building in Woolloomooloo in 1992. A few years later Artspace initiated a local and international residency program, significantly expanded at the beginning of 2007. Artspace has been a regular venue for the Biennale of Sydney from 1993 onwards. Since 1983 many of the major figures of Australian and international contemporary art have developed and presented major projects with Artspace, which continues to provide one of the most substantial platforms for contemporary visual art and related practices in Australia and the region. 

Artspace Directors 1983-2011: Judy Annear, Gary Sangster, Sally Couacaud, Louise Pether, Nicholas Tsoutas, Blair French. 

Artspace Chairs 1983-2011: Jim Allen, Lisa Anderson, Louise Dauth, Dian Lloyd, Michael Dolk, Jill Scott, Richard Dunn, Merilyn Fairskye, Frances Jospeh, Su Baker, Brad Buckley, Nicholas Tsoutas, Nick Waterlow, Anne Zahalka, Anne Graham, Richard Perram, John Potts, Suzanne Currie, Michael Dagostino. 

Artspace is supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments, and is assisted by the New South Wales Government through Arts NSW and by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. 

Artspace is a member of CAOs, the Australian Contemporary Arts Organisations network, and Res Artis, the International Association of Residential Art Centres.