2015–2025 MILESTONES

As we celebrate our 10th anniversary season, it is poignant to reflect on the milestones that have formed UKARIA into a place of cultural significance. Our February–July season brochure features a timeline of highlights, which we have collated into the digital story below. Click on the headings to view each year's memories.

2015

29 AUGUST

UKARIA (then Ngeringa Arts) Official Opening. String Quartet No. 3 by Matthew Hindson, commissioned to mark the occasion, was performed by the Australian String Quartet.

2016

23–24 APRIL

First UKARIA 24 weekend (then Ngeringa 24), curated by Genevieve Lacey.

6–11 JULY

First Residency at Twin Peaks – Quartet & Country with Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, William Barton, Iain Grandage, Jessie Lloyd, Eric Avery, Marrawuy and the Australian String Quartet.

'Such an honour to create in this space. Ngeringa is already a national treasure. Thank you with all my heart.'
– Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO

2017

11–13 MARCH

First Adelaide Festival Chamber Landscapes, curated by
Anna Goldsworthy.

8 APRIL

First contemporary concert – Lior and Paul Grabowsky.

18 DECEMBER

Guadagnini Quartet Project completed. Commenced in 2010, this laid the groundwork for UKARIA's DGR status.

2018

9–11 JUNE

UKARIA 24 curated by Nicolas Altstaedt, the first international curator of the weekend.

JULY

UKARIA Foundation established, chaired by David McKee AO.

1 DECEMBER

Five-time GRAMMY Award-winner Dawn Upshaw (soprano) performed with Tamara-Anna Cislowska (piano) and
Nicole Divall (viola).

2018

Peter Freund Collection – 47 abstract European prints gifted to UKARIA; permanent home at Twin Peaks.

2019

FEBRUARY

Natsuko Yoshimoto announced as custodian of 'The Adelaide' Guadagnini violin, held in trust by UKARIA.

18–25 FEBRUARY

Archie Roach AC and Paul Grabowsky AO in residence to work on a new album Tell Me Why, which went on to win 'Album of the Year' at the National Indigenous Music Awards in August 2020.

2 JUNE

First performance by Australian Chamber Orchestra at UKARIA.

3 AUGUST

First jazz concert – Paul Grabowsky, Lloyd Swanton
and Dave Beck.

28 OCTOBER

Quatuor Ébène performed as part of the 250th Anniversary of Beethoven's birth.

2019

Steve Hailstone prepared a new design to rejuvenate
the garden.

2020

9 FEBURARY

First performance by Notos Piano Quartet at UKARIA.

‘Oh UKARIA, we’re in LOVE! Words cannot describe how blown away by this wonderful place we are! Thank you so much for having us here – beautiful hall, lovely acoustics, enthusiastic audience, all of this gorgeous Australia – we can’t wait to be back!’
– Notos Piano Quartet

2021

Artworks commissioned:
Seven Sisters by Mitakiki Women's Collective
Kapi Tjukula by Margaret Richards

1 NOVEMBER 2021

Official opening of the Garden Terrace.

2022

1 MAY

First A Cappella Academy curated by Timothy Wayne-Wright.

3 SEPTEMBER

First Jazz Weekend curated by and featuring James Morrison.

2023

4 FEBURARY

Steinway Model D piano purchased with funds from the bequest of John Koch and inaugurated by Paul Lewis.

5 MARCH

World premiere of Ngapa William Cooper by Nigel Westlake, Lior and Lou Bennett.
Part of Finding Our Voice and the Adelaide Festival.
Co-commissioned by UKARIA and the Adelaide Festival.

DECEMBER

Emily Sun announced as custodian of 'The Adelaide' Guadagnini violin, held in trust by UKARIA.

2024

21 JUNE

Double bass crafted by Gasparo da Salò in Brescia, Italy, c. 1580 gifted to UKARIA by a generous Australian patron. On loan to the ACO.

7–8 DECEMBER

GRAMMY Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell performed
at UKARIA.

2025

22–24 AUGUST

UKARIA's 10th Anniversary Celebration,
curated by Pekka Kuusisto.

31 OCTOBER–2 NOVEMBER

Chamberfest curated by Brooklyn Rider,
the first ensemble to curate the weekend.