Newcastle Art Gallery

Nationally recognised as the custodian of one of the finest public collections in Australia, Newcastle Art Gallery offers access to art and culture through high-quality exhibitions, programs and events.

The permanent collection of more than 7,000 works of art is significant, providing a time capsule of Australian art from the colonial era to contemporary works today.

On permanent display in the gallery, visitors will discover Newcastle-born artist John Olsen’s ceiling painting, Sea sun of 5 bells (1964), as well as an everchanging program of exhibitions.

The Art Gallery Society membership provides access to a full calendar of social events.

The Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation is the major fundraiser for the gallery. The foundation welcomes individual and corporate benefaction to enrich Newcastle’s collection and cultural life.

Note: Newcastle Art Gallery is currently undergoing a major refurbishment, upgrading and expanding the Gallery to provide modern facilities such as a new café and retail shop, multi-purpose and educational program space and improved display. An additional 1,600 square meters of exhibition space will include dedicated areas for the Gallery’s collection on the lower level, while the upper level will cater for a variety of travelling exhibitions, including international shows. The Gallery is set to reopen late 2024.

AWARDS

The Kilgour Prize is Newcastle Art Gallery’s annual, non-acquisitive prize for figurative and portrait painting.

Each year, the Kilgour Prize attracts hundreds of entries nationwide, and awards a prize of $50,000 to the most outstanding painting and $5,000 to the People’s Choice.