Adelaide Critics Circle scans professional and amateur theatre and music, visual arts and lifetime achievements

Adelaide Critics Circle chair Peter Burdon surrounded by the "scribblers in the dark" at its 2019 awards presentation, at Holden Street Theatres.

The Adelaide Critics Circle represents the united force of the city's performing and visual arts critics. Adelaide critics – the scribblers in the dark – had extensive opportunity to hone their skills through the city's long history as home to arts festivals, and the extraordinary creativity and liveliness of South Australia theatre and music.  

The critics, from mainstream and alternative media, met regularly to nominate outstanding work and, at year’s end, to vote for the winners of their cash and trophy awards: the ACColades.

The Adelaide Critics Circle was brought together in 1996 by Adelaide Festival artistic director Robyn Archer. When it received government funding, the circle presented the richest performing arts awards in Australia. It also made the then-controversial decision to include amateur theatre categories in its awards. Visual arts critics also were invited into the circle.

Lifetime achievement is one of the awards by the Adelaide Critics Circle. Winners have been:
2019: Jane Rossetto, head of sound, Adelaide Festival Centre.
2017: Pat Rix, founder, CEO and artistic director of the TUTTI Ensemble.
2016: Diana Harris, pianist, accompanist and educator.
2015: Michael Fuller, teacher of movement and dance at Flinders University drama centre.
2014: Jo Peoples, records keeper with Performing SArts College of South Australia; actor, musician.
2013: Thomas Edmonds, tenor and teacher.
2012: Don Barker, stage and television actor.
2011: Barbara West, actor and director.
2010: Dale Ringland, musical director, conductor and repetiteur.
2009: Harold Minear, director, actor, playwright, lyricist and revue writer,
2008: Dennis Olsen, actor and oepera singer.
2007: Kym Bonython, entrepreneur, gallery owner and author.
2006: Edwin Hodgeman, actor on stage and film.
2005: Tristram Cary, composer.
2004: Laraine Wheeler, lighting technician.
2003:  Zora Semberoya, dance teacher and ballerina.
2002: Wally Carr, entertainer and producer.
2001: Phyl Skinner, entertainer.
2000: Lyndall Henrickson, music prodigy and teacher.
1999: Harold Tidemann, singer, journalist, critic and broadcaster.
1998: Don Dunstan, South Australian premier and arts supporter.