$6 MILLION INVESTMENT TO UPGRADE ’S OLDEST ART SCHOOL

Friday 15 October 2010

The NSW Government will invest $6 million upgrading the National Art School at Darlinghurst – Australia’s pre-eminent and oldest art school to preserve the historic institution and ensure its future.

Funding will go towards urgent works at the site – located in the former .

The National Art School is renowned for nurturing some of Australia’s top artists and art academics.

The National Art School’s origins can be traced back to 1843 and it has occupied the historic Darlinghurst Gaol since 1922. It has a rich tradition of visual art education based on the traditional atelier method of teaching.

More than 8,500 students have attended the school since it relocated to Darlinghurst.

Alumni include: Sir OBE, Ken Done AM, Max Dupain AC OBE, AO, Colin Lanceley AO, Norman Lindsay, Susan Norrie OAM, Chris O’Doherty (also known as Reg Mombassa), AC AO, John Olsen AO OBE, J Martin Sharp, Jeffrey Smart AO, AM, Thancoupie AO and Ken Unsworth AM.

National Art School students undertake intensive tuition in the specialist disciplines of ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture, supported by the study of art history and theory.

The $6 million project – to be completed over the next three years – will see:

• Development of a masterplan for the entire site; • Two new additions to the campus’s Building 11 which borders Darlinghurst Road; o Construction of a new two-storey building at the southern end of Building 11 will replace a 1960s services building. (Building 11 will then house a new postgraduate centre to support the planned growth in postgraduate student numbers); • A new three-storey building at the northern end will replace a 1970s one; • Climate-controlled facility will be established to house the nationally-significant National Art School archives and special collections – including items dating back to 1760; • Installation of some new IT facilities and provision for a specialist retail space; and • Opening of the campus to Darlinghurst Road to improve safety and visual connection to the local community.

Premier Kristina Keneally and Minister for the Arts Virginia Judge today joined Chair of the Board of the National Art School, Peter Watts, Director of the National Art School, Anita Taylor, school alumni, and representatives from the Friends of the National Art School to announce the upgrade.

“This investment secures the long-term future of the National Art School by upgrading the School’s heritage buildings,” Ms Keneally said.

“The $6 million project will provide state-of-the-art study facilities to support the oldest, most prestigious visual arts school in Australia and contribute to the development of future generations of Australian visual artists.”

Minister for the Arts, Virginia Judge, said today’s announcement demonstrated the strong support the NSW Government provides to the creative industries.

“NSW is Australia’s creative capital with five per cent of the NSW workforce working in the creative industries and 37 per cent of the national creative industries based right here in NSW,” Ms Judge said.

“This financial year alone the NSW Government is investing more than $295 million into the arts including $56.6 million for the 2011 Arts Funding Program, which supports artists, arts organisations and community events across NSW.

“The National Art School is a unique and important educational institution and provides an invaluable contribution to the future of the arts industry in Australia and internationally.”

Peter Watts AM, Chair of the Board of the National Art School said: “The National Art School is delighted that the Premier has made these funds available.

“The project will dramatically improve the long term sustainability of the school and build on the work funded by the Carr Government some years ago. We are deeply grateful for the Government’s ongoing commitment to the future of the school.”

Background Notes:

• The National Art School is the longest continuing art school in Australia and has an impressive alumni of acclaimed Australian artists many of whom are key figures in the history of Australian art and contemporary art practice including: Sir William Dobell OBE, John Olsen AO OBE, J Martin Sharp, Jeffrey Smart AO, Susan Norrie OAM, John Coburn AO, , Fiona Hall, James Gleeson AO, John Firth Smith, AO, Colin Lanceley AO, Margaret Olley AC AO, Peter Rushforth AM, Tim Storrier AO, Gloria Thancoupie AO and Ken Unsworth AM. • Recent graduates of NAS who continue to enjoy outstanding success include 2009 Archibald Prize winner Guy Maestri, winner of the 2007 Moran Portrait prize Leslie Rice, and 2009 Sculpture by The Sea winner David Horton. • Located in the historic sandstone surrounds of the old Darlinghurst Gaol, the National Art School offers Bachelor of Fine Art, Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours), Master of Fine Art (Research) and short courses in visual art. • All programs of study at NAS entail a comprehensive investigation of studio practices and theoretical reflection, under the support and guidance of teaching staff who are all distinguished practising artists and art historians.