Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA)

The Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) fosters a wide range of artistic, curatorial, and critical practices through five programme streams: research and production, exhibition-making, public Programmes, publishing, and residencies.

CCA developed out of the Context Gallery in The Playhouse. Since its conception in 1992, the gallery has exhibited emerging artists from Northern Ireland alongside international peers.

CCA’s activity builds on the history of the Context Gallery but has a wider mandate, fostering a range of artistic, curatorial, and critical practices, locally, regionally and internationally. CCA opened in the autumn of 2012 in a space designed by Michael Carr Architects.

In 2021 CCA is honoured to be one of five shortlisted for the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2021, the world’s largest museum prize for CCA’s work supporting artists and audiences over the pandemic.

CCA’s primary funder is the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. CCA also receives funding and support from Derry City and Strabane District Council, Caldwell & Robinson Solicitors and The Art Fund.

CCA is a member of Plus Tate. Plus Tate is a network which comprises thirty five cultural institutions – including the Tate galleries – that have strong artistic vision, a focus on contemporary art, outstanding public programming and a commitment to local community engagement through art. Plus Tate aims to support the development of the visual arts across the UK.¹

In 2021 CCA was honoured to be one of five shortlisted for the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2021, the world’s largest museum prize for CCA’s work supporting artists and audiences over the pandemic.

CCA’s primary funder is the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. CCA also receives funding and support from Derry City and Strabane District Council, Caldwell & Robinson Solicitors, The Art Fund and Jerwood Arts.