Neo is Adelaide’s dedicated, parent-free creative space for teens – a vibrant after-hours event series that brings together art, music, ideas and unforgettable experiences. Designed exclusively for young people aged 13–17, Neo transforms the Art Gallery of South Australia into a dynamic social hub where teens can explore, experiment and connect through creativity.
Since launching in 2016, Neo has welcomed more than 16,000 young people into the Gallery, offering a space that reflects Adelaide’s identity as Australia’s first UNESCO City of Music. In a city where music is woven into public life, from festivals and grassroots venues to education and cultural innovation, Neo extends this ethos to the next generation. Music is central to each program, with live sets, performance collaborations and sound-based creative labs offering teens an entry point into Adelaide’s broader musical landscape.
Held six times a year, Neo is free, fully supervised and built with teen voices at its core. The Neo Ambassadors, a group of passionate young creatives, work alongside AGSA staff to design events that speak directly to youth culture. Their programming reflects the city’s wider commitment to nurturing creativity, ensuring each Neo feels relevant, inspiring and boldly imaginative.
Twice annually, Neo hosts its flagship Teen Takeover, an epic event that energises the entire Gallery. On these nights, every space becomes a platform for creative discovery: interactive installations, hands-on art labs, performance pop-ups and emerging local musicians fill the building with energy. Teens can roam, experiment and encounter artists in action – an experience that echoes Adelaide’s music-city spirit, where artistic collaboration and live performance are part of everyday life.
Between Takeovers, Neo delivers focused events linked to current exhibitions and AGSA’s collection. These sessions invite young people to engage with ideas through both visual art and sound – whether participating in workshops with local musicians, exploring audio-based installations or experimenting with rhythm, voice and electronic production. The atmosphere is deliberately social and inclusive, encouraging teens to hang out, meet others and discover new creative pathways. Neo stands as an exciting expression of Adelaide’s role as a UNESCO City of Music celebrating imagination, community and the power of art and music to shape the future.