SMH: Parents get free admissions, art class vouchers in family-friendly arts package

SMH: Parents get free admissions, art class vouchers in family-friendly arts package

Article: Linda Morris
Photo: Artist impression of the National Art School makeover. 

A total of $9.4 million has been allocated over three years to advance the National Art School’s master plan to redevelop its campus within the sandstone walls of the historic Darlinghurst Gaol.

“It allows the National Art School to begin progressing the master plan and does send a signal to the art school, the market and philanthropists we want them to pony up.”

NAS has called the former Darlinghurst Gaol home since 1922, celebrating 100 years of teaching at this location this year.

Through the expansion, NAS director and CEO Steven Alderton said the art school would “become the front door for art and creativity in NSW”.

“The funding will enable design and planning work to create a 21st-century art school where art and creativity are central to the community.”

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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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