National Art School COVID-19 Response

National Art School COVID-19 Response

2020-04-27

I am writing to provide an update regarding the National Art School and Covid-19.

The health and safety of our students, staff and visitors are our utmost concern. In response to the COVID 19 Pandemic we have put a number of precautionary measures in place to minimise risk of infection and transmission. This includes increased cleaning across the site and sanitisers in all public areas, re-assessing class sizes, reducing gatherings on site and implementing recommendations from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, including recommending that visitors keep a safe distance from each other when visiting our galleries and programs.

The National Art School remains open and continues to teach across the academic program and short courses. The 22nd Biennale of Sydney exhibition NIRIN remains open as does our cafe Two Emus, the Print Lab, the Library and Parkers Art Supplies.

To further increase the safety of our School and community we have decided to postpone or cancel public events and related programs for the months of March and April, effective immediately. This includes school visits and school workshops, site tours, education expos, the Autumn school holiday program, and Biennale of Sydney public programs.

We are looking at other ways to engage with our community; to activate the Biennale of Sydney exhibition and our arts program in digital platforms including our website. We apologise for any disruption this may cause and thank you for your patience and understanding as we make the necessary adjustments to our programs and hope to restart our public events as soon as practicable. Please refer to our website for further information as we are constantly updating our position, www.nas.edu.au

Thank you for your consideration as we put in place systems to ensure the health and safety of the community at National Art School, and look for alternate ways to connect great art, artists and community. For further health enquiries, please contact NSW Health on 1800 022 222 or visit www.health.nsw.gov.au.

Yours sincerely,
Steven Alderton
Director and CEO, National Art School

READ FULL STATEMENT

Today is ‘Take Your Dog to Work’ day! And we`ve brought the whole kennel, courtesy of the National Art School Collection.

—
Frank Pearson (Captain Starlight), ‘Two dogs, a white donkey and sailing boats’, 1890, watercolour on paper, Gift of Allan Harding to the NAS Archive & Collection; Margaret Woodward, ‘Dog (Bull Mastiff)’, 1997, watercolour and ink on paper, Gift of Britt Clapson to the NAS Archive & Collection; Bruce Latimer, ‘Gardens full of dogs’, 1973, screenprint on paper edition AP, Gift of Bruce Latimer to the NAS Archive & Collection; Lorna Nimmo ‘Sleeping dog’, pencil on paper; Vivienne Littlejohn, ‘It’s a Dog’s Life’, 1983, woodcut on paper, Gift of Joy Dandie to the NAS Archive & Collection; image courtesy the artists and National Art School © artists.

From the National Art School Collection. The Collection performs a major role within the National Art School, both as a teaching resource and historical record. Visit our website to find out more about the works in our collection.

View Instagram post by nas_au

Jun 20

Open post by nas_au with ID 18310616233213603

Today is ‘Take Your Dog to Work’ day! And we've brought the whole kennel, courtesy of the National Art School Collection.

—
Frank Pearson (Captain Starlight), ‘Two dogs, a white donkey and sailing boats’, 1890, watercolour on paper, Gift of Allan Harding to the NAS Archive & Collection; Margaret Woodward, ‘Dog (Bull Mastiff)’, 1997, watercolour and ink on paper, Gift of Britt Clapson to the NAS Archive & Collection; Bruce Latimer, ‘Gardens full of dogs’, 1973, screenprint on paper edition AP, Gift of Bruce Latimer to the NAS Archive & Collection; Lorna Nimmo ‘Sleeping dog’, pencil on paper; Vivienne Littlejohn, ‘It’s a Dog’s Life’, 1983, woodcut on paper, Gift of Joy Dandie to the NAS Archive & Collection; image courtesy the artists and National Art School © artists.

From the National Art School Collection. The Collection performs a major role within the National Art School, both as a teaching resource and historical record. Visit our website to find out more about the works in our collection.

Last days to make a tax deductible donation and support the next generation of artists through the Pathways Program.

Your donation this EOFY is vital to help us build a more inclusive and vibrant arts community. Your donation supports a range of programs such as the Student Hardship Fund, Scholarships and Residencies. Help create crucial pathways for talented artists.

Visit link in bio to donate now.

`I think when you walk into the campus, it feels like a sanctuary for a lot of people.` (Samuel Chan, NAS Alumnus 2024)

View Instagram post by nas_au

Jun 19

Open post by nas_au with ID 17980568039845469

Last days to make a tax deductible donation and support the next generation of artists through the Pathways Program.

Your donation this EOFY is vital to help us build a more inclusive and vibrant arts community. Your donation supports a range of programs such as the Student Hardship Fund, Scholarships and Residencies. Help create crucial pathways for talented artists.

Visit link in bio to donate now.

'I think when you walk into the campus, it feels like a sanctuary for a lot of people.' (Samuel Chan, NAS Alumnus 2024)

We are seeking candidates with strong experience in the areas of extensive audit, governance or philanthropy experience, and strong art and education sector knowledge to join the National Art School Board of Directors.

Our mission is to be a centre of excellence for the provision of higher education and research, scholarship and professional practice in the visual arts and related fields. Members of the Board play a vital role in long-term strategic planning and providing expert advice and support to the shareholding members and Director (CEO) on any matter relating to the school.

Visit I work for NSW website to express your interest (link in bio).

View Instagram post by nas_au

Jun 18

Open post by nas_au with ID 18036793889649417

We are seeking candidates with strong experience in the areas of extensive audit, governance or philanthropy experience, and strong art and education sector knowledge to join the National Art School Board of Directors.

Our mission is to be a centre of excellence for the provision of higher education and research, scholarship and professional practice in the visual arts and related fields. Members of the Board play a vital role in long-term strategic planning and providing expert advice and support to the shareholding members and Director (CEO) on any matter relating to the school.

Visit I work for NSW website to express your interest (link in bio).

A new student-led, artist-run initiative joined our campus!

‘Pinpoint’ student collective (@nas_pinpoint) reactivates the notice boards outside Building 27 printmaking facility with micro-exhibitions of student work, offering students a chance to share their practice in a low-pressure, highly visible way within the student community.

Artwork by @jubohlephoto
Supported by @nas_src_official & @cafe.nas

View Instagram post by nas_au

Jun 17

Open post by nas_au with ID 17877480906244819

A new student-led, artist-run initiative joined our campus!

‘Pinpoint’ student collective (@nas_pinpoint) reactivates the notice boards outside Building 27 printmaking facility with micro-exhibitions of student work, offering students a chance to share their practice in a low-pressure, highly visible way within the student community.

Artwork by @jubohlephoto
Supported by @nas_src_official & @cafe.nas

`Being at NAS, they were the best three years of my life so far` (Rosemary Lee, NAS Alumna 2018)

This end of financial year, support the next generation of artists through the National Art School’s Pathways Program.

Your donation will be vital in helping us build a more inclusive and vibrant arts community — creating crucial pathways for talented artists to become leading international artists, regardless of their background.

Visit link in bio to find out what your donation today could achieve tomorrow.

View Instagram post by nas_au

Jun 16

Open post by nas_au with ID 18082167943770925

'Being at NAS, they were the best three years of my life so far' (Rosemary Lee, NAS Alumna 2018)

This end of financial year, support the next generation of artists through the National Art School’s Pathways Program.

Your donation will be vital in helping us build a more inclusive and vibrant arts community — creating crucial pathways for talented artists to become leading international artists, regardless of their background.

Visit link in bio to find out what your donation today could achieve tomorrow.

We are delighted to announce Margaret Ambridge`s work `Cheek by jowl` (2024) as the winner of the People’s Choice Award for the 24th Dobell Drawing Prize. A huge congratulations to Margaret, who also won the People`s Choice Award for the 23rd Dobell Drawing Prize in 2023.

Margaret shares:

‘My primary practice is drawing. To have three very different, some say demanding, works exploring the human condition accepted for the Dobell Drawing Prize over the years is such a rare privilege and wonderful recognition of my artwork. For many years I have struggled with drawing’s place in my art practice. To me there always seems to be an external pressure suggesting that drawing is a pathway to something ‘bigger’ like a painting or a sculpture. The longevity and gravitas of the Dobell demands that drawing be seen as the final work in its own right. It’s been a long journey from drawing at the kitchen table as a child with my mother, an artist in her own right.’

See Margaret`s winning work in this final week of the 24th Dobell Drawing Prize at NAS Gallery, closing Saturday 21 June 2025.

Plan your visit at the link in bio.
—
Opening night of the 24th Dobell Drawing Prize, National Art School Gallery, Sydney, 2025, image courtesy and © the artists and National Art School, photograph: Nicole Anderson; Margaret Ambridge, ‘Cheek by jowl’, 2024, charcoal and rainwater on paper, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Mark Fitz-Gerald

View Instagram post by nas_au

Jun 13

Open post by nas_au with ID 18050927999455175

National Art School COVID-19 Response