The Araluen Centre is located in the Alice Springs Cultural Precinct. There are 4 art galleries in the Centre featuring a program of exhibitions including Aboriginal art, particularly from the Central Desert region, and contemporary art by Northern Territorian and other Australian artists. Located in one of these galleries is the Albert Namatjira Gallery, exhibiting a rotating selection of original paintings by this famous Australian Aboriginal artist. The Gallery also features work by Namatjira's teacher, Rex Battarbee, and others of the Hermannsburg School. The Araluen Galleries also stage major travelling exhibitions on a regular basis.

The Centre houses an extensive collection of artworks, which is displayed on a rotating basis. The collection has been built up over a period of more than 30 years with input from some of Australia's best qualified judges of visual art. The Araluen Centre also houses drama, dance and musical events of the highest calibre to be staged in Alice Springs. Major orchestras, theatre companies and ballet companies have performed on the Araluen stage. A range of musicals and drama, for which most people have to visit a capital city, are staged here as part of a vibrant, well supported performing arts program. The theatre also doubles as an art house movie theatre and is used by a wide range of community groups for amateur performances.