NAS NEO – Student Advisory Group
NAS NEO is an exciting program that celebrates art and creativity in Sydney. It provides a platform for emerging and established artists, attracts visitors to the CBD area, and engages the community through immersive experiences, collaborative art-making activities, and a diverse range of events. By showcasing the best of Sydney’s cultural art scene, NAS NEO contributes to the wellbeing of the community, promotes the fine art sector, and supports local businesses. We believe that art is essential to our cultural identity and that by supporting artists and providing opportunities for the community to engage with art, we can enrich and improve the lives of individuals and society as a whole.
About NAS NEO Student Advisory Group
We are thrilled to introduce the NAS NEO Student Advisory Group, an exciting opportunity for students like you to contribute to and be a part of the NAS NEO program.NAS NEO is dedicated to celebrating art and creativity in our city, and we believe that students play a crucial role in shaping the future of art and culture. We invite you to submit your ideas and join the Student Council, where you’ll not only help bring your creative vision to life but also have a direct impact on the NAS NEO program’s events and initiatives.
Our previous Brainstorming Session
On Thursday, March 28, we conducted a lunchtime brainstorming session featuring three main questions: What would you like to see, what would you like to do, and what other possibilities exist without any limitations? We collected over 200 ideas (thank you so much for your contributions), and have now refined them for presentation on this panel.
Please vote for the ideas you find most appealing by clicking the “applause” button! Once voting is complete, we will schedule another meeting to further develop these concepts.
We greatly value your input. Feel free to share this with your fellow students, and if you haven’t joined the council yet, please email [email protected] to stay informed!
Student Exhibitions
More opportunities for students to show their work. Small-scale Grad Show. Present alongside past NAS students. Work in progress. No commission. Student-run exhibition.
Networking Nights
Networking nights with other schools. More professional practice seminars. Connecting galleries, artists, and the art world. A space for group conversations and for artists to show their techniques. Courses on social media, promotion, and opportunities outside NAS.
Student-Run Music Nights
Music in the Cell Block. Pay students and pay them well. Make the student book the gigs and organize DJs. Opportunities to do performances alongside music. Perform Performance pieces. Create a band liaison.
Student Markets
Open space to sell and exchange books and art supplies. SWOP night. Recycle night. Barter nights. Organize a mega sale with discount for students.
Movie Night
Students and Indie films in Cell Block Theatre. Outdoor Cinema. Invite other film schools to share experiences.
Open mic Poetry Night
Poetry, spoken word, slam poetry. Confessional style. Sketch the rhyme. A place to improv and story telling.
Collaborative Artwork
Public paint a picture. Collaborative immersive spaces. Collaborative drawing sessions. Public art, murals, and individual murals. Let the NAS Community aim for a Guinness World Record. Collaborative sculpture.
Student Curatorial Group
Help with the facilitation of events. Curate exhibitions. Paid internship. An opportunity to get/give mentorship and work ina curatorial role.
Out-of-the-box Workshops
Yoga classes. Trivia Night. Themed night costumes. Synesthetic workshop. Meditation classes. Drama Classes. Dancing workshop. Zine workshops. Sewing workshops.
Open to Collaborations
Seek opportunities to collaborate with other schools (NIDA, AFTRS, UNSW, SCA, UTS, etc.) Invite more disciplines like music, theatre, fashion nights, circus, orchestras, etc.
NAS NEO Feedback
No old men Dj sets. Students decide on the themes. More accessible communications (updates). Food vans. Complementary beverages.
These ideas don’t include the vote option because they encompass the whole production. This is for you to know that we hear you!
Facilities Feedback
Better vending machines. Water station. Bean bags. Fix the common rooms. More smoking areas. Better and cheaper coffee. Hammocks.
These ideas don’t include the vote option because they encompass all NAS facilities. This is for you to know that we hear you!
Now open: Art Club enrolments for students aged 15–17
Led by practicing artists, these weekly after-school workshops are designed to develop technical skills and foster a community of like-minded peers.
Book now for Term 1 🔗 in bio.
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Photos: Peter Morgan
Jan 19
SEARCHERS: Graffiti and Contemporary Art
17 January – 11 April 2026
Opening event: Thursday 22 January, 6–9pm
A major exhibition exploring the politics and poetics of spray
With Ben Aitken, Howard Arkley, BAGL, BREAK, Andrew Browne, Daniel Crooks, Adam Cullen, Mikala Dwyer, Dale Frank, Shaun Gladwell, Brendan Huntley, Rhys John Kaye, Luke Kennedy, LAZY, Mim Libro, Fiona Lowry, Eddie Martin, MACH, Tony McGillick, Paul McNeil, TV Moore, Callum Morton, Tresor Murace, Sidney Nolan, POWER, Ben Quilty, Scott Redford, Reko Rennie, RUM, Leslie Rice, Joan Ross, Khaled Sabsabi, Tim Silver, SNAIL, SPICE, Bridget Stehli, Maya Stocks, Latai Taumoepeau and TAVEN
Presented as part of @sydney_festival
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Photography: @zanwimberley
Jan 16
Final call! This is your last chance to apply for our BFA degree for 2026.
Applications close 29 January.
Apply now 🔗 in bio.
Jan 12
Join us from 6–9pm on Thursday 22 January for the opening of SEARCHERS: Graffiti and Contemporary Art.
Featuring Ben Aitken, Howard Arkley, BAGL, BREAK, Andrew Browne, Daniel Crooks, Adam Cullen, Mikala Dwyer, Dale Frank, Shaun Gladwell, Brendan Huntley, Rhys John Kaye, Luke Kennedy, LAZY, Mim Libro, Fiona Lowry, Eddie Martin, MACH, Tony McGillick, Paul McNeil, TV Moore, Callum Morton, Tresor Murace, Sidney Nolan, POWER, Ben Quilty, Scott Redford, Reko Rennie, RUM, Leslie Rice, Joan Ross, Khaled Sabsabi, Tim Silver, SNAIL, SPICE, Bridget Stehli, Maya Stocks, Latai Taumoepeau & TAVEN
RSVP 🔗 in bio.
Presented as part of @sydney_festival.
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Sidney Nolan, ‘Untitled’, 1983, spray can enamel on canvas, Nolan Collection, managed by Canberra Museum and Gallery on behalf of the Australian Government
Jan 9
Marking 20 years of the National Art School Gallery, we are thrilled to share this year`s program of ambitious group and solo exhibitions that foster critical appreciation and innovative art practice.
SEARCHERS: Graffiti and Contemporary Art
17 January – 11 April
Opening: Thurs 22 January, 6pm
Bringing together over thirty of Australia`s most dynamic artists united by one charged medium: spray paint, presented as part of @sydney_festival.
QUEER CONTEMPORARY
Liz Bradshaw: I didn`t expect to live this long
13 February – 7 March
Opening: Thurs 12 February, 6pm
Experience a large-scale sculpture and installation by NAS alum Liz Bradshaw as part of @sydneymardigras.
Mitch Cairns: Artist`s Mouth
1 May – 11 July
Opening: Thurs 30 April, 6pm
Presented with the @instituteofmodernart, the largest and most comprehensive exhibition by Sydney-based artist and NAS alum Mitch Cairns.
Margaret Olley: Australian Intimiste
31 July – 25 October
Opening: Thurs 30 July, 6pm
Celebrating the legacy of NAS alum and one of Australia`s most beloved painters, Margaret Olley AC.
The Postgrad Show
6–15 November
The Grad Show
4–13 December
Full program 🔗 in bio.
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Howard Arkley, `Triple fronted`, 1987, synthetic polymer paint on canvas, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Mollie and Jim Gowing Bequest Fund 2014 © The Estate of Howard Arkley, courtesy Kalli Rolfe Contemporary Art, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales
Jan 8
Step into the studios these school holidays with Art Club Intensive for ages 15–17.
Led by experienced artist-educators, these focused 3-day workshops provide a supportive space for students to develop their skills and gain an immersive introduction to the disciplines taught at NAS.
7–9 & 14–16 January
On campus
Book via 🔗 in bio
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Photos: Peter Morgan
Dec 23
