Arts & Cultural Exchange Celebrate 40th Anniversary With ‘Cosmic Connections’

The Arts & Cultural Exchange (ACE) will celebrate their 40th anniversary with a major cultural event under the theme ‘Cosmic Connections’, showcasing four decades of cultural leadership in Western Sydney.

Known for its innovative approach to creative art, cultural and community oriented projects, ACE aims to empower cultural change, social justice change and community vibrancy.

“For 40 years, ACE has been a constellation of creativity, culture and the arts. A place where cultures meet, stories intertwine, and luminous transformations flourish,” said Anne Loxley, Executive Director at ACE.

The event will gather both community, artists and performers, and will focus on five main pillars throughout the night- First Nations, Multicultural Women’s Hub, Youth Engagement, Artists with Disability and Screen Cultures.

“Cosmic Connections honours this legacy with a stellar program that features 29 brilliant artists. All five of ACE’s program pillars – First Nations, Multicultural Women’s Hub, Youth Engagement, Artists with Disability and Screen Cultures – will combine for an unforgettable gala event, promising a kaleidoscope of music, dance, fashion and storytelling,” explained Loxley.

‘First Nations’ will function as the first pillar of the evening, initiated with a Welcome to Country ceremony led by Jannawi Dance Clan and Uncle Chris Tobin. The night will showcase performers including Elina Roberts-Turner, Mason Browne, and singer-songwriter and First Nations program advisor, Akala Newman. Amy Flannery and the Lost All Sorts Collective will also join the group for a special premiere song. 

The event will also unveil the new Yapa Mali Fashion collection, a contemporary take on Ngiyampaa traditions on a fashion runway featuring youth models from ACE’s First Nations Still Growing program.

Evening of bold storytelling and whole-hearted performance

Additional highlights of this event also include more family friendly activities such as the Cosmic Cave, where attendees can experience shadow puppetry from Bria McCarthy, and encounter a new exhibition by Natalie Snedden and the sounds of Samoan hip-hop word warriors with Toah & Bluetongue.

Under Multicultural Women’s Hub, attendees of the event will be invited into a creative, sensual and sustainable workshop where artists GUL Collective, Paula do Prado, and Joyce HX Tang will guide the participants through creating art inspired by the night sky.

Lastly, the event will offer selected works by local film-makers and the opportunity to experience ACE’s neurodiverse music program Club Weld Attitude which will showcase solo pianist Patrick Li and the bluesy tunes of Tua Hunt.

Attendees of the event will get to celebrate one of Sydney’s biggest independent arts organisations through a night of bold visuals and heartfelt storytelling mixed with captivating performances.

The Arts & Cultural Exchange’s 40th anniversary will be held on 22nd of November 2025 at ACE, Parramatta.