The National Art School Launches National Centre for Drawing

The National Art School Launches National Centre for Drawing

As the school approaches its centenary occupying the historic site of the former Darlinghurst Gaol (1922-2022), NAS students across all disciplines – ceramics, painting, printmaking, sculpture and photomedia – continue to engage with drawing throughout their degree courses.

The school is affirming its core commitment to this crucial artistic skill with the establishment of the National Centre for Drawing (NCD), which seeks to promote and nurture practice, research and scholarship in drawing.

“This exciting new endeavour will foster informed dialogue, debate and understanding around the diversity of drawing practices in the context of fine art,” said NAS Director and CEO Steven Alderton. “It will also be a focal point for establishing national and international connections to educational and cultural institutions and organisations, galleries, art communities and practitioners, and to build audiences and public appreciation of drawing.”

The NCD will cultivate curiosity around this primary artistic discipline, grounded in the traditions and techniques of the past but extending to less visible or recognised forms of drawing, exploring its myriad possibilities as a form of contemporary creative expression, and extending to the outer realms of drawing practice.

The centre incorporates many elements including The Drawing Gallery, a new space at NAS dedicated to drawing exhibitions. The inaugural show, From the Mountain to the Sky: Guy Warren Drawings, celebrates one of Australia’s most admired artists Guy Warren, opening on his 100th birthday and running from 17 April – 22 May 2021.

NCD will also present programs, projects and events that incorporate the physical activity of drawing, including The Drawing Exchange bringing professional artists onto campus; the annual Margaret Olley Drawing Week with NAS students; and a diverse and engaging program of public workshops. The Festival of Drawing launches in 2021, a biannual event in conjunction with the Dobell Drawing Prize, including workshops, screenings, family activities, symposiums and talks.

NAS Head of Drawing Maryanne Coutts said the NCD will enrich cultural life on campus, hosting International and Emerging Artist Residencies to give students and staff the opportunity to engage with innovative contemporary drawing practices from outside the school. NCD will also produce printed and online publications for exhibitions and projects, and podcasts with in-depth conversations about drawing.

Image: First year drawing students in the NAS Gallery, 2020. Photo: Peter Morgan
Image: Yul Scarf, Still Life of a Falling Monument, 2020, video still.
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Thank you to everyone who attended The Postgrad Show Opening Night!
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The Postgrad Show is on until 17 November at NAS Galleries.
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Learn more about the artists and view available works at the link in bio.
Launching the National Art School Short Courses Program for January to June 2025.  Our 2025 program kicks off in January with Summer School Weeks One and Two, followed by Term One in February, and Term Two in April, and the Autumn and Masterclass Weekend Workshops in May and June, respectively.  Enrol in a short course to experience the National Art School’s unique studio-based learning environment and our hands-on approach to teaching.  Visit the link in bio to learn more.
The Postgrad Show is now open! 
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Celebrate the future of contemporary art, 8–17 November. 
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Learn more about the exhibition at the link in bio. 
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Thank you to current NAS BFA student @harrison_chao for the music
Celebrate the future of contemporary art tonight at The Postgrad Show Opening Night, Thursday 7 November, 6–10pm.
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The Postgrad Show, 8–17 November, NAS Galleries.
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RSVP for the Opening Night at the link in bio.
Introducing the 2024 graduating MFA students. 
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Celebrate the future of contemporary art at The Postgrad Show Opening Night, Thursday 7 November, 6–10pm.
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RSVP for the Opening Night at the link in bio.
Introducing the graduating Sculpture MFA students and their selected work.
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Celebrate the future of contemporary art at The Postgrad Show Opening Night, Thursday 7 November, 6–10pm.
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