Governance

The principal mission of the National Art School 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.

The National Art School utilises its independent identity and its historic site to develop and deliver arts and cultural awareness in a local, national and international context.

Our strategic priorities over the 2014 – 2022 period are to:

  • Be the institute of choice for the study of visual art practice in Australia
  • Unlock the historical and cultural significance of the National Art School for the benefit of the broader community
  • Create a vibrant cultural hub that attracts and inspires Australia’s diverse communities
  • Strengthen operational capacity to ensure the highest quality corporate and academic outcomes

Download our strategic plan


GOVERNANCE

The National Art School is:

Registered as a Higher Education Provider under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA).

The Academic Board is responsible for the maintenance of academic standards in accordance with accreditation requirements.

Registered under the Australian Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) to provide courses to non-Australian citizens studying in Australia on student visas. (CRICOS Code 03197B)

A public company limited by guarantee (ACN 140 179 111), with two members, the NSW Ministers for Education and for the Arts.

The members appoint a Board of Directors with responsibility for the School and oversight of the leadership of the School.

Registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) as a charity (ABN 89 140 179 111)

Entered on the Register of Cultural Organisations and is recognised by the Australian Taxation Office as a Charitable Institution, endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient under Item 1 for the following funds:

  • National Art School General Fund
  • National Art School Gallery
  • National Art School Library

The National Art School Gallery and the National Art School Library are also endorsed under Item 4, and may receive gifts of property under the Cultural Gifts Program.

Download our Constitution

#Follow us on Instagram
We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Prudence MacLeod Prize. 

The Prudence MacLeod Prize, which will continue for a further three years, supports a recent National Art School graduate to undertake a six-month residency at @acme.art, London.

Supported by the Lansdowne Foundation, the Prize provides an emerging artist with an opportunity to step forward into an expanded, international context at a vital time in their career. The artist will live and work in London, one of the world's great art cities, in a supportive artist community. This important opportunity will enable the artist to forge professional international contacts, explore London's art world and rich cultural resources, and produce a new body of work.

The recipient of this Prize will receive:
– Return travel to London. To be arranged for the artist by NAS.
– Studio accommodation and workspace at Acme Studios for 6 months.
– Living stipend of $AUD3,500 per month for 6 months. Total $AUD21,000.

Application deadline: Sunday 1 February 2026, 11.59pm
Residency: Monday 6 July – Friday 18 December 2026

The Prudence MacLeod Prize is open to eligible NAS alumni who have graduated within the past five years and meet the selection criteria.

Learn more 🔗 in bio. 

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Acme Fire Station, 30 Gillender Street, 1999 © Acme Archive
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the opening of The Grad Show!

Find works by this year's cohort exhibited throughout the NAS campus until 14 December. Open daily from 11am — 5pm and until 9pm on Fridays. 

View online via 🔗 in bio.

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Video: Tim Connolly
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