Betty and Radha’s Parade Viewing Party at NAS
PROGRAM
Betty and Radha’s Parade Viewing Party at NAS
25 February 2023
National Art School
156 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
6pm – midnight
Tickets: $65 (+$4 booking fee)
Children under 12 are free
Image: (Left) Betty Grumble photographed by Liz Ham. (Right) Radha on The Set, ABC TV, photographed by Jess Gleeson.
Celebrate the Mardi Gras in comfort within a stone’s throw of the parade with co-hosts Betty Grumble and Radha the Diva from India!
As a partner of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras since 2018, NAS invites you to Betty and Radha’s Parade Viewing Party at the iconic Darlinghurst campus.
On the doorstep of the parade just behind Oxford Street, you can catch all the action and excitement of the celebration without battling the crowds!
Enjoy the atmosphere with a live feed of the parade, and queer art open late across the NAS galleries.
You’ll have exclusive access to popup bars courtesy of Archie Rose, food trucks, bathrooms and plenty of seating on the stunning NAS campus – so grab a cocktail, pull up a beanbag, and watch the parade like a VIP!
View artworks by 40+ artists from within the LGBTQIA+ community participating within NAS’ Queer Contemporary exhibitions Braving Time: Contemporary Art in Queer Australia and Fulgora.
Tickets are $65 + $4 booking fee (concession options are available). Children under 12 are free! Please contact us if you are experiencing financial hardship on [email protected]. Tickets are limited to ensure minimal queues and plenty of space – so get in early!
Please note patrons under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The event is fully licensed and ID must be shown on request to purchase alcohol.
Shahmen Suku was born in 1987 in Singapore and arrived in Australia in 2009. He is a performance artist based in Sydney who explores racial, religious and cultural identity, gender roles, the home, and the kitchen through performance and storytelling. Growing up in a modern matriarchal Indian family in Singapore and moving to Australia has given Shahmen multiple perspectives on migration and displacement, race and culture, and colonisation and gender identity, and he discusses these issues in his work in different mediums such as live performances as his alter ego Radha, installations and video works.
Betty Grumble (aka Emma Maye Gibson) is a Sydney based award winning performance artist. Largely through the avatar/war mask/love letter/totem critter of Betty Grumble, she engages her body as a political and medicinal site of performative catharsis, often in a genre smash of ritual physical theatre, cabaret, performance art and multimedia.
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
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
We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons) scholarships!
Amirah Rachwani | Alumni Advancement Scholarship
supported by Ian Neil SC
Cristelle Cabrera | Baxter Marr Scholarship
supported by Annabel Baxter and David Marr
Ziggy Grana | Perry Foundation Art Scholarship
supported by the R&J Perry Family Foundation
Launched this year, these scholarships provide financial assistance and creative opportunities for students undertaking the new BFA (Hons) degree in 2026.
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Portraits: @soybased_snack
Dec 22
Save on Summer School 2026 short courses!
Enrol online before Monday 15 December 2025 to receive 10% off.
Designed for students of all levels and led by professional artist-educators, these focused five-day courses build practical skills, confidence and creative thinking across a range of disciplines.
Learn more 🔗 in bio
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Photos: Peter Morgan
Dec 13
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
Dec 11
Congratulations to all students recognised in last night`s awards ceremony!
A special acknowledgement to our major award recipients: Jed Payten, Nikita Maricic, Frankie Abroon, Harri Barnes, Lihnida Krstanoska-Blazeska, Cristelle Cabrera, Rose Rigley, Indi Wolstenholme, Lucy Russell and Majlena Muecke.
Thank you to our dedicated lecturers and technicians for their guidance and support throughout the year, and to our generous benefactors and sponsors whose commitment makes these prizes possible.
This year also marked the introduction of @arts__matter Creative Futures Award, supporting 25 BFA and MFA students as they transition from graduation into early professional practice.
🔗 in bio to view all the recipients.
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Photography: Tim Connolly
Dec 11
