Maintenance and Upgrade Works at the National Art School

Maintenance and Upgrade Works at the National Art School

Update – Maintenance and Upgrade Works at the National Art School

The NSW Government is committed to preserving NSW’s heritage. The Former Darlinghurst Gaol, as it is officially known, was heritage listed in February 2021 and the site will celebrate its 200th anniversary next year. The NSW Government is undertaking a series of repairs and maintenance works at the National Art School site. These essential upgrades will ensure the site’s rich history will be preserved for generations to come.

These upgrades will begin on Friday 9 July.

Please find details below:
Friday 9 July: erection of A and B class hoardings along Forbes Street
Saturday 10 July: an arborist will be working on the trees that line Forbes Street and the footpath will be closed for this period
Monday 12 July: erection of scaffolding along Forbes Street

Once the hoarding and scaffolding is assembled, the sandstone will be replaced and remediation works undertaken, including cleaning, desalination, indentation, and repointing.

What you may notice as the project progresses:
• Works commenced in May 2021 and are anticipated to be completed mid-2023.
• Works to the heritage stone walls will take place from 7.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday except on public holidays.
• Works will also take place on Saturdays from 7.30am to 3.30pm, as required with approval from Council.
• Neighbours can expect to hear some noise associated with on-site activities, during the hours listed above.
• Access to the site for contractors will be via the Burton Street entrance.
• Contractors will utilise limited available parking inside the grounds where possible over the period of works, to minimise the impact on street parking in the area.
• Workers may access the site before, and after, the works period to set-up and deliver, or remove, equipment.
• We understand these essential works may impact you and your neighbours and we apologise for the inconvenience it may cause. We would like to thank you for your patience and cooperation in helping us provide a safe and thriving arts education facility for National Art School students, staff and visitors.

Contacts
For more information on how the program might impact you, contact Cordelia Moss, Project Manager (Create NSW) on 02 8289 6594.
For information about the Scope of Repair Work contact David Mason, Senior Heritage Consultant (Public Works Advisory) on 0466 410203.
For information about the site in general contact Bryce Bentley, Project Manager (Heritage Stoneworks) on 0438 320 897.

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Ever wondered what it’s like studying at the National Art School?

Find out at our Open Day on Saturday 6 September, 10am to 4pm.

Considering art as a career or simply curious about what happens behind the school’s historic sandstone walls? Save the date on Eventbrite (link in bio) to see what life is like for students at NAS by participating in studio demonstrations, chatting to our academic staff and visiting the NAS Gallery and student exhibition spaces across our campus.
The National Art School was saddened to hear of the recent death of artist and NAS alumnus Bruce Goold (1948-2025).

Born in Newcastle in 1948, from 1961- 65 Bruce attended Sydney Grammar School, where he studied art with ceramicist and potter Gordon McCausland. This was followed by a year at the National Art School, Newcastle. Here he experimented with various mediums and made his first linocut. He then studied at the National Art School, c. 1967-68. 

Bruce was a member of the artist collective Yellow House between 1970-72. The former Clune Gallery in Kings Cross was transformed by Martin Sharp and a group of fellow artists, who painted the exterior bright yellow and covered its internal walls with murals, portraits and decoration. Artists such as Brett Whiteley, Peter Wright, Bruce Goold, Greg Weight and Peter Kingston turned the building into an artwork, while visiting bands and celebrities made it a regular fixture of the Sydney scene.

Known principally as a printmaker, Goold created coloured linocuts and woodblocks including many images of Australian flora and fauna, as well as South Pacific inspired esoteric and symbolic subjects. He held solo exhibitions in Sydney, Melbourne and internationally in London and Ireland. He received major commissions for poster, logo and interior design and worked as a designer for Mambo from 1992. 

A retrospective exhibition, Bruce Goold, Artist, Designer, Printmaker, curated by Therese Kenyon, was held at Manly Art Gallery & Museum in 2008.
The National Art School extends its sympathies to Bruce’s family and many friends.
—
Greg Weight, 'Bruce Goold', 1998, NAS Collection
Got a young artist at home?

Art Club Term 3 is now open for enrolment — and we’ve got an exciting painting program lined up. This term, kids will explore styles like Expressive Acrylics and Contemporary Watercolour, all while building their confidence and creativity.

Monday afternoons, led by artist and educator Grant Bellamy. 

Visit the link in bio to learn more and enrol.
Thank you to everyone who attended the opening night and weekend celebrations for The Neighbour at the Gate. 

The Neighbour at the Gate is now open until Saturday 18 October 2025
11am – 5pm Monday to Saturday
NAS Gallery
Free admission, all welcome

Plan your visit at the link in bio.
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