Arts and Culture Christmas Island began as a small community group back in 1988, with classes and productions conducted by the local ballet teacher. The following year the association was incorporated and named Arts CI. Then in 2000 it became Arts and Culture Christmas Island Inc. (ACCI).

During the early years, funding was entirely locally based and relied on the expertise and talents of the local community. In 1995 ACCI received its first grant to bring mainland artists to the island to provide a series of workshops. ACCI held the first Arts Festival in 1994, and by 2000 this formed part of Christmas Island’s annual Territory Week celebrations.

Today, ACCI is overseen by a Committee of Management (COM) made up by local volunteers who are assisted by administration staff. ACCI’s yearly program of activities and events recognises and promotes the expertise and cultural diversity of the Christmas Island community and utilises the talents of the local community for their programs. ACCI also engages visiting artists, musicians, trainers and craftspeople who bring additional skills, ideas and experiences to Christmas Island.

ACCI receives core funding from the Australian Government, which is supplemented by membership fees, workshop charges, in-kind support from individuals and businesses and other Australian Government grants when available.

ACCI occupies space at the Old Tech School, which is the hub for many workshops, performances and events, as well as its administrative headquarters.