The first issue of Art Monthly Australia, (AMA) was published in June 1987; its founding editor was Peter Townsend, then the distinguished (and also founding) editor of Art Monthly (UK), that country's leading magazine of contemporary visual art. Townsend modeled the Australian magazine on its namesake and it quickly became a lively and critical forum for debate on contemporary Australian art. Townsend edited both magazines for six years, travelling between London and Australia, before returning permanently to England in 1993, when he was succeeded as editor of AMA by Peter Timms, a well-known writer and curator. Timms edited the magazine for five years - his first issue was #58 (April 1993) and his last was #107 (March 1998). Philippa Kelly, who had worked as Art Monthly Australia's managing editor for the previous eight years and had broad experience in the visual arts, was then appointed editor; her last issue was April 2002. Deborah Clark, the 4th editor, saw Art Monthly Australia publish its 200th issue in June 2007, Clark's last issue was October 2007 - read Clark's final editorial here. The current and 5th Editor, Maurice O'Riordan, was appointed in January 2008.

In 2007 Art Monthly Australia published its 200th issue and is in a mature phase of its development with more than 25 years of publishing and is positioned very strongly in the market for Australian visual art. Under Peter Townsend, AMA carved a niche for itself as a key player in Australian visual arts, and in the subsequent years it remained essential reading on the Australian scene. In the last few years Art Monthly Australia has, to an extent, been re-invented, and currently commands a central place in art journal publishing in this country, where it has a strong reputation as an intelligent, well informed and accessible visual art magazine with national coverage. While other visual art magazines have come and gone, Art Monthly Australia has gone from strength to strength in its production - the breadth and quality of its writing, its crisp and attractive design - and in its reception.

Art Monthly Australia is an incorporated public company, and exists as a non-profit organisation. The magazine is produced ten times a year, from March to December. Art Monthly Australia's income is derived from sales and subscriptions, advertising, philanthropic, and government funding. Over the 25 year-life of the magazine it has been vigorously supported by the Australia Council, initially with annual funding and now with triennial funding. The magazine has also sought and received funding from State and Territory arts funding bodies.

The Australian National University (ANU) School of Art, Canberra, has hosted Art Monthly Australia since 1992. The magazine was originally published in Sydney by Sam Ure Smith, but within two years AMA was moved to Canberra (in 1989) where it was self-published. David Williams, Director of the School of Art (1985-2006), is the Chair of the AMA Board, whose other members include arts professionals from around Australia with strong expertise in different spheres of the visual arts and publishing. The magazine has a strong relationship with the ANU academic community, including collaborations and exchanges on academic committees, publishing ventures and in public lectures.

Art Monthly Australia currently employs three staff: Editor, Maurice O'Riordan; Managing Editor/Designer, Tania Evans and Publication Coordinator, Sharon Curran.