About

Our community

The Art Gallery Society of New South Wales is a dynamic membership organisation made up of 38,000 members and counting. It is a not-for-profit organisation with its own governing council and staff. Its aim is to raise funds to assist the Art Gallery of New South Wales, its operations, exhibitions and the acquisition of art. Artwork acquisitions for the public collection currently receive no government funding.

The Art Gallery Society of New South Wales was founded by a passionate group of art-lovers in 1953 with the shared aim of supporting the Art Gallery of New South Wales. This formative group of around 300 people were inspired to assist the Art Gallery following the 1952 exhibition French Painting Today, the Art Gallery's first blockbuster exhibition which drew over 150,000 visitors. Among its first members were prominent figures such as Gough and Margaret Whitlam.

Membership of the Art Gallery includes a wide range of benefits, including discounts, lectures, workshops, concerts, tours, parties, travel experiences, Look magazine and more, enhancing members’ experience of art and culture in Australia.

We thank all Art Gallery of New South Wales members for building Australia's most vibrant arts community for more than 70 years.