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

by Danielle Neely

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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Now open in Building 25 Project Space — Liz Bradshaw `I didn`t expect to live this long`.

For this year`s Queer Contemporary, NAS alum Liz Bradshaw presents an exhibition of large-scale sculpture and installation works that offer a personal and political queering of time, space, materiality, and ideas. Integrating new works alongside a fragment of an artwork created at NAS in the 1990s, the installation folds together the artist`s personal experiences with the complex histories of the school`s site and the broader Darlinghurst area, which served as an epicentre of Australian queer history.

On view until 7 March. Monday to Saturday, 11am–5pm.

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Installation view: Zan Wimberley

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Feb 13

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Now open in Building 25 Project Space — Liz Bradshaw 'I didn't expect to live this long'.

For this year's Queer Contemporary, NAS alum Liz Bradshaw presents an exhibition of large-scale sculpture and installation works that offer a personal and political queering of time, space, materiality, and ideas. Integrating new works alongside a fragment of an artwork created at NAS in the 1990s, the installation folds together the artist's personal experiences with the complex histories of the school's site and the broader Darlinghurst area, which served as an epicentre of Australian queer history.

On view until 7 March. Monday to Saturday, 11am–5pm.

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Installation view: Zan Wimberley

Students: spaces are still available in Drawing Week 2026 workshops!

These free 4-day workshops run the week before classes commence and are exclusively for students entering their 2nd and 3rd year of the BFA at NAS.

Select from one of 12 distinct focus areas and start the year with a full immersion in the process of making, looking at and thinking about drawing.

Learn more 🔗 in bio.

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Photos: Peter Morgan

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Feb 10

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Students: spaces are still available in Drawing Week 2026 workshops!

These free 4-day workshops run the week before classes commence and are exclusively for students entering their 2nd and 3rd year of the BFA at NAS.

Select from one of 12 distinct focus areas and start the year with a full immersion in the process of making, looking at and thinking about drawing.

Learn more 🔗 in bio.

—
Photos: Peter Morgan

Featured in the @sydneymorningherald`s Spectrum — SEARCHERS: Graffiti and Contemporary Art.

Co-curator @fionalowry shares, “Graffiti doesn’t so much ‘lose value’ in the gallery as shift value. On the street, it holds power through risk, speed, territory and peer recognition. In the gallery, different things become visible: form, discipline, lineage and the deep relationship to authorship and mark-making. Part of what the exhibition tries to do is hold those two value systems in tension rather than pretend one replaces the other.”

SEARCHERS continues at the National Art School Gallery until April 11. Open Monday to Saturday, 11am–5pm.

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Installation views: Zan Wimberley

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Feb 9

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Featured in the @sydneymorningherald's Spectrum — SEARCHERS: Graffiti and Contemporary Art.

Co-curator @fionalowry shares, “Graffiti doesn’t so much ‘lose value’ in the gallery as shift value. On the street, it holds power through risk, speed, territory and peer recognition. In the gallery, different things become visible: form, discipline, lineage and the deep relationship to authorship and mark-making. Part of what the exhibition tries to do is hold those two value systems in tension rather than pretend one replaces the other.”

SEARCHERS continues at the National Art School Gallery until April 11. Open Monday to Saturday, 11am–5pm.

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Installation views: Zan Wimberley

Work at the National Art School!

We`re recruiting a Head of Postgraduate Studies to lead and shape our postgraduate programs, including BFA (Hons), MFA and DFA.

Applications close Sunday 8 March 2026, 5pm.

Learn more 🔗 in bio.

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The Postgrad Show, 2025, photos: Peter Morgan

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Feb 6

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Work at the National Art School!

We're recruiting a Head of Postgraduate Studies to lead and shape our postgraduate programs, including BFA (Hons), MFA and DFA.

Applications close Sunday 8 March 2026, 5pm.

Learn more 🔗 in bio.

—
The Postgrad Show, 2025, photos: Peter Morgan

Opening 12 February — Queer Contemporary, as part of @sydneymardigras

This year`s edition presents `Liz Bradshaw: I didn`t expect to live this long` — an exhibition of large-scale sculpture and installation works that offer a personal and political queering of time, space, materiality, and idea — with student exhibitions organised by Jack Oliver Owen and nikita lelu.

Join us for the opening night on Thursday 12 February, from 6–9pm.

RSVP 🔗 in bio.

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Liz Bradshaw, `Two Pair`, 2023

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Feb 1

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Opening 12 February — Queer Contemporary, as part of @sydneymardigras

This year's edition presents 'Liz Bradshaw: I didn't expect to live this long' — an exhibition of large-scale sculpture and installation works that offer a personal and political queering of time, space, materiality, and idea — with student exhibitions organised by Jack Oliver Owen and nikita lelu.

Join us for the opening night on Thursday 12 February, from 6–9pm.

RSVP 🔗 in bio.

—
Liz Bradshaw, 'Two Pair', 2023

The National Art School acknowledges that for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and for many other Australians, January 26 is a day of sorrow — marking deep loss, as well as survival.

Across Australia today, communities are coming together to reflect, connect and mark the day respectfully. The National Art School is committed to listening, learning and moving forward together.

For information about events visit antar.org.au and https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/australia-day-sydney

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Jan 26

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The National Art School acknowledges that for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and for many other Australians, January 26 is a day of sorrow — marking deep loss, as well as survival.

Across Australia today, communities are coming together to reflect, connect and mark the day respectfully. The National Art School is committed to listening, learning and moving forward together.

For information about events visit antar.org.au and https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/australia-day-sydney