Open Day 2025
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.
The National Art School is Australia’s leading fine art school, with a hands-on studio-based teaching model that has delivered a rich tradition of art practice and world-renowned alumni for over 100 years. On the frontier of arts education, NAS provides a progressive and holistic approach to study, and we invite the public to join us on Open Day to share in our creative community.
Considering art as a career or simply curious about what happens behind the school’s historic sandstone walls? 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.
Want to know more about how to apply to NAS? See us at our course enquiry desk, speak with our faculty in a one-on-one consultation or pop into one of the information sessions running throughout the day.
What can you expect at Open Day?
Explore the campus with a guided tour
Get an inside look into art school life with the open studios and creative workshops
Have your questions answered in a one-on-one portfolio consultation
Get application ready with a drop-in information session
RSVP TO OPEN DAY HERE
...and that`s a wrap! Congratulations to all our Year 11 Visual Arts students who participated in the 2025 HSC Intensive program, Module 2.
We loved welcoming you to our campus for the last five days of creativity and hard work.
Best wishes for all your future endeavours as budding artists. We can`t wait to see what you create next.
Oct 7
Fondly remembered by a generation of TV viewers as the creator of `Mr Squiggle`, Norman Hetherington OAM (1921-2010) was a student at the National Art School from 1937-1941.
Co-scripted by his wife, Margaret, `Mr Squiggle` ran on the ABC for 40 years becoming the longest running children’s TV program in the world.
Norman Hetherington’s daughter Rebecca Hetherington co-hosted Mr Squiggle and in 2002 helped her father with his first solo exhibition (curated by NAS alumna Toni Warburton) at the Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre in the Blue Mountains.
Rebecca donated many of Norman’s works to the NAS Collection, including his poster (designed and painted when he was 17 years old) for the first known film by NAS students. `Love Laughs at Death` screened at NAS from 30 September-5 October 1938, and while the film itself has been lost, a photo and newspaper article about it were kept by actor and NAS alumna Shirley Jones.
The National Museum of Australia in Canberra (@nationalmuseumofaustralia) is showing the free exhibition `Mr Squiggle and Friends` until October 13.
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Norman Hetherington
(1921-2010)
NAS student 1937-1938; 1939-1941
`Mr Squiggle`, etching, 12 x 9.5 cm, Gift of Rebecca Hetherington, 2023, National Art School Collection
Photographer unknown. Students Jim Swan, Shirley Jones and Jack Edwards from the film `Love Laughs at Death`, made and screened at NAS in 1938. This photograph was displayed on the front page of ‘The Labor Daily’, 3 September 1938. Jim Swan was the producer, Shirley Jones an actor, as was Jack Edwards who played the ‘Crazy Scientist’.
`Love Laughs at Death`, 1938 , gouache on cardboard, 63 x 55 cm , Gift of Rebecca Hetherington, 2020, National Art School Collection
`Screws`, 1937, ink on card, 11.5 x 12 cm, Gift of Rebecca Hetherington, 2022, National Art School Collection
`Man in suit`, 1937, gouache on card, 32 x 14.5 cm, Gift of Rebecca Hetherington, 2022, National Art School Collection
`Colour for men`, gouache on paper, 38 x 27 cm, Gift of Rebecca Hetherington, 2022, National Art School Collection
Oct 5
Final weeks to visit The Neighbour at the Gate, closing Saturday 18 October.
Across various mediums and perspectives, The Neighbour at the Gate charts the entangled legacies of exclusion and resilience, drawing vital parallels between the past and present, memory and nationhood.
Learn more about the exhibition and plan your visit at the link in bio.
Please note: the gallery is closed for Labour Day Monday 6 October
Oct 3
Enjoy 20% off a Summer School Short Course with code FLASHSALE20
Don’t miss this exclusive 20% off flash sale on the National Art School Summer School Short Courses (link in bio). Flash Sale starts right now and ends midnight Monday 6 October.*
*Offer begins midday Friday 3 October and ends midnight Monday 6 October. Terms and conditions apply.
Oct 3
We are pleased to share the exciting news that we are introducing a new BFA (Hons) degree at the National Art School in 2026.
The Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) is an intensive one-year program designed for graduates of the BFA who are ready to deepen their studio practice and expand their academic and professional capabilities. This course is ideal for emerging artists who want to refine their practice, build industry connections, and prepare for postgraduate study or professional opportunities in the creative sector.
New scholarships will be available to students entering the BFA (Hons), with further details to be shared later this year. For more information and key dates, visit futurestudents.nas.edu.au (link in bio).
Oct 2
Join us for free 18+ concert `Afterglow` – The Neighbour at the Gate exhibition closing party.
Headlined by Miss Kaninna, the event features performances by HYLANDER, Rocky Stallone, BRINA, Kuya Hennessy, and DJ Court Jester. RSVP today as tickets are going fast!
Afterglow
Thursday 16 October
Doors: 4.30pm
Concert starts: 7.00pm
Cell Block Theatre, National Art School
Please note: if the Cell Block reaches capacity, you’re welcome to enjoy the concert from the courtyard until space opens up inside. Food trucks and pop up bar.
FREE ADMISSION, RSVP is essential due to limited capacity (link in bio)
Oct 1
