Events
October
Created with members in mind, our year-round program of events brings you more than 300 ways to experience art, culture and ideas. Enjoy talks and lectures, hands-on workshops, concerts and parties, special exhibition viewings, and tours to local and regional galleries – all with discounted tickets for members.
Family holiday workshop for 5–8 year olds with an adult: It’s a dog’s life
Tuesday 6, Thursday 8 October 2026, 10.30am - 12pm
Explore the Art Gallery to discover artworks featuring dogs, then create a clay sculpture of a dog. For children and a grown-up.
Kids holiday workshop for 9–12 year olds: It’s a dog’s life
Tuesday 6, Thursday 8 October 2026, 1.30-3pm
Explore the Art Gallery to discover artworks featuring dogs, then create a clay sculpture of a dog. For children and a grown-up.
Art walk: Darlinghurst and Rushcutters Bay
Saturday 10 October 2026, 1.30–3.30pm
Join us for a walking tour of select art galleries in Sydney’s inner eastern suburbs of Darlinghurst and Rushcutters Bay.
Workshop: Unframed – Drawing with Jude Rae
13 October – 3 November 2026, 10.30am – 1.30pm
Led by artist Jude Rae, learn pencil drawing techniques covering construction, composition, tone and touch.
Art Appreciation: Lubaina Himid: artist and activist - Wednesday series
Wednesday 14 October 2026, 6–7pm
Emily Sullivan explores the influential career and cultural activism of British Black Arts Movement artist Lubaina Himid.
Art Appreciation: Lubaina Himid: artist and activist - Thursday series
Thursday 15 October 2026, 1–2pm
Emily Sullivan explores the influential career and cultural activism of British Black Arts Movement artist Lubaina Himid.
High tea and lecture: Storm in a teacup
Saturday 17 October 2026, 10.30am – 1pm
Discover the history of tea in this talk, presented by Joyce Morgan, followed by a delicious sparkling high tea.
Critical ground: Global First Nations visual art dialogues – Full subscription
17–31 October 2026, 2–3pm
Join us for a three-part series where you’ll hear from Australian-based First Nations artists.
Critical ground: An introduction to local and global Indigenous art
Saturday 17 October 2026, 2–3pm
Erin Vink in conversation with artists Rolande Souliere, Salote Tawale and Thea Anamara Perkins.
Kids Club for 5–8 year olds: Term 4 subscription (10.30am)
18 October – 22 November 2026, 10.30am – 12pm
A fun series of children’s art classes at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Kids Club for 9–12 year olds: Term 4 subscription (10.30am)
18 October – 22 November 2026, 10.30am – 12pm
A fun series of children’s art classes at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Kids Club for 5–8 year olds: Term 4 subscription (1.30pm)
18 October – 22 November 2026, 1.30–3pm
A fun series of children’s art classes at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Kids Club for 9–12 year olds: Term 4 subscription (1.30pm)
18 October – 22 November 2026, 1.30–3pm
A fun series of children’s art classes at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Kids Club for 5–8 year olds (10.30am): Beauty in the everyday
Sunday 18 October 2026, 10.30am – 12pm
Let’s turn everyday objects into art! Bring along a few of your favourite things to create an interesting still-life composition.
Kids Club for 9–12 year olds (10.30am): Beauty in the everyday
Sunday 18 October 2026, 10.30am – 12pm
Let’s turn everyday objects into art! Bring along a few of your favourite things to create an interesting still-life composition.
Kids Club for 5–8 year olds (1.30pm): Beauty in the everyday
Sunday 18 October 2026, 1.30–3pm
Let’s turn everyday objects into art! Bring along a few of your favourite things to create an interesting still-life composition.
Kids Club for 9–12 year olds (1.30pm): Beauty in the everyday
Sunday 18 October 2026, 1.30–3pm
Let’s turn everyday objects into art! Bring along a few of your favourite things to create an interesting still-life composition.
Creative concertina sketchbook
Monday 19 October 2026, 10.30am – 1pm
Jean Kropper teaches participants how to create a personalised concertina sketchbook.
Art Appreciation: Robert Smithson: desert art, downtown style - Wednesday series
Wednesday 21 October 2026, 6–7pm
Dr Chris McAuliffe examines Robert Smithson’s groundbreaking land art practice, including the iconic Spiral Jetty.
Talk: The irresistible rise of the art fair
Thursday 22 October 2026, 10.30–11.30am
Join John McDonald as he traces the roots of the art fair from medieval marketplaces to the globalised world of high finance.
Art Appreciation: Robert Smithson: desert art, downtown style - Thursday series
Thursday 22 October 2026, 1–2pm
Dr Chris McAuliffe examines Robert Smithson’s groundbreaking land art practice, including the iconic Spiral Jetty.
23 October – 20 November 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
In this four-part lecture series explore how throughout history, rebels, outlaws and nonconformists.
Rebels with a cause: Unruly women: rebels, martyrs and outlaws in art – Friday series
Friday 23 October 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Dr Jessica Priebe explores how artists have depicted women who challenge convention.
24 October – 21 November 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
In this four-part lecture series explore how throughout history, rebels, outlaws and nonconformists.
Rebels with a cause: Unruly women: rebels, martyrs and outlaws in art – Saturday series
Saturday 24 October 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Dr Jessica Priebe explores how artists have depicted women who challenge convention.
Critical ground: Rethinking place and colonial spaces
Saturday 24 October 2026, 2–3pm
Erin Vink in conversation with artists Billy Bain, Daniel Boyd and Danie Mellor.
Kids Club for 5–8 year olds (10.30am): Desert tales
Sunday 25 October 2026, 10.30am – 12pm
Learn about Australian artist Sidney Nolan and his fascination with the vast landscapes and stories of the Australian desert.
Kids Club for 9–12 year olds (10.30am): Desert tales
Sunday 25 October 2026, 10.30am – 12pm
Learn about Australian artist Sidney Nolan and his fascination with the vast landscapes and stories of the Australian desert.
Kids Club for 5–8 year olds (1.30pm): Desert tales
Sunday 25 October 2026, 1.30–3pm
Learn about Australian artist Sidney Nolan and his fascination with the vast landscapes and stories of the Australian desert.
Kids Club for 9–12 year olds (1.30pm): Desert tales
Sunday 25 October 2026, 1.30–3pm
Learn about Australian artist Sidney Nolan and his fascination with the vast landscapes and stories of the Australian desert.
Exclusive guided tour at the Chau Chak Wing Museum
Tuesday 27 October 2026, 10am - 12pm
Join deputy director Paul Donnelly for an exclusive guided tour of the Chau Chak Wing Museum
Art Appreciation: Harold Cohen and AARON - Wednesday series
Wednesday 28 October 2026, 6–7pm
Dr Jessica Priebe explores Harold Cohen’s pioneering contribution to computer-generated art and the development of AARON.
Art Appreciation: Harold Cohen and AARON - Thursday series
Thursday 29 October 2026, 1–2pm
Dr Jessica Priebe explores Harold Cohen’s pioneering contribution to computer-generated art and the development of AARON.
Intermediate calligraphy workshop
Friday 30 October 2026, 10.30am - 12pm
Build confidence and fluency with the brush as you continue to develop your calligraphy practice with Xueyi Bai .
Rebels with a cause: Negative exposure: rebels in photography – Friday series
Friday 30 October 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Tony Maniaty discusses photography’s instrumental role in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the spirit of rebellion.
Rebels with a cause: Negative exposure: rebels in photography – Saturday series
Saturday 31 October 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Tony Maniaty discusses photography’s instrumental role in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the spirit of rebellion.
Critical ground: Sonic returns: Indigenous knowledge in sound art
Saturday 31 October 2026, 2–3pm
Erin Vink in conversation with artists Sonya Holowell and Dr Adriana Mahanga Lear.
November
Kids Club for 5–8 year olds (10.30am): Making music
Sunday 1 November 2026, 10.30am – 12pm
Enjoy some music with your art in this music-themed workshop.
Kids Club for 9–12 year olds (10.30am): Making music
Sunday 1 November 2026, 10.30am – 12pm
Enjoy some music with your art in this music-themed workshop.
Kids Club for 5–8 year olds (1.30pm): Making music
Sunday 1 November 2026, 1.30–3pm
Enjoy some music with your art in this music-themed workshop.
Kids Club for 9–12 year olds (1.30pm): Making music
Sunday 1 November 2026, 1.30–3pm
Enjoy some music with your art in this music-themed workshop.
Art Appreciation: Yang Yongliang: fusing tradition and modernity - Wednesday series
Wednesday 4 November 2026, 6–7pm
Mikala Tai examines Yang Yongliang’s digital landscapes that merge traditional Chinese painting with contemporary urban imagery.
Art Appreciation: Yang Yongliang: fusing tradition and modernity - Thursday series
Thursday 5 November 2026, 1–2pm
Mikala Tai examines Yang Yongliang’s digital landscapes that merge traditional Chinese painting with contemporary urban imagery.
A print revolution: breaking boundaries in 20th-century printmaking
Saturday 7 November 2026, 10.30-11.30am
Emily Poore will discuss the key role of Tyler Graphics in the 20th-century print renaissance.
Celebrating printmaking: Exclusive viewing – artists’ books
Saturday 7 November 2026, 1–3pm | Enjoy a selection of artists’ books from the Library’s special collections which will be on display in the Library reading room.
Celebrating printmaking: Live demonstration
Saturday 7 November 2026, 1–3pm | Join three leading printmakers to learn how they create their art using three unique styles of printmaking.
Printmaking workshop: Drypoint printmaking with Andrew Totman
Sunday 8 November 2026, 10.30am - 1pm
Join master printmaker Andrew Totman for this hands-on drypoint printmaking workshop.
Printmaking workshop: Woodblock with Japanese registration with Roslyn Kean
Sunday 8 November 2026, 1.30-4pm
Join Roslyn Kean in this introduction to Woodblock with Japanese registration workshop.
9–30 November 2026, 10.30am – 1.30pm
Join artist Kate Dorrough for this four week creative drawing workshop series.
Exclusive viewing and wine tasting 'Nolan - Origins' and House of Arras
Thursday 12 November 2026, 5.30–8pm
Join us for an exclusive after-hours viewing of the ‘Nolan: Origins’ exhibition followed by an evening of sparkling wine tasting.
Rebels with a cause: Bad attitude: rebels and outlaws in fashion – Friday series
Friday 13 November 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Roger Leong looks at the characters and communities from beyond fashion’s hierarchy that captured the public imagination.
End of year party | Nolan: Origins
Friday 13 November 2026, 6.30–9.30pm
Celebrate the end of year and have a fun night of art, music and dancing, dress in your best rebel or outlaw-inspired look.
Rebels with a cause: Bad attitude: rebels and outlaws in fashion – Saturday series
Saturday 14 November 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Roger Leong looks at the characters and communities from beyond fashion’s hierarchy that captured the public imagination.
Kids Club for 5–8 year olds (10.30am): En plein air landscape drawing
Sunday 15 November 2026, 10.30am – 12pm
In this workshop we’ll draw directly from the landscape around the Art Gallery and create an artwork that captures the essence of nature.
Kids Club for 9–12 year olds (10.30am): En plein air landscape drawing
Sunday 15 November 2026, 10.30am – 12pm
In this workshop we’ll draw directly from the landscape around the Art Gallery and create an artwork that captures the essence of nature.
Kids Club for 5–8 year olds (1.30pm): En plein air landscape drawing
Sunday 15 November 2026, 1.30–3pm
In this workshop we’ll draw directly from the landscape around the Art Gallery and create an artwork that captures the essence of nature.
Kids Club for 9–12 year olds (1.30pm): En plein air landscape drawing
Sunday 15 November 2026, 1.30–3pm
In this workshop we’ll draw directly from the landscape around the Art Gallery and create an artwork that captures the essence of nature.
Art Appreciation: Family of things: the ceramics of Kirsten Coelho - Wednesday series
Wednesday 18 November 2026, 6–7pm
Julie Ewington examines the porcelain works of Kirsten Coelho.
Art Appreciation: Family of things: the ceramics of Kirsten Coelho - Thursday series
Thursday 19 November 2026, 1–2pm
Julie Ewington examines the porcelain works of Kirsten Coelho.
Rebels with a cause: Infamy to icon: the cinematic outlaw – Friday series
Friday 20 November 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
CJ Johnson will examine the rich cinematic treatment of the celebrity outlaw.
Rebels with a cause: Infamy to icon: the cinematic outlaw – Saturday series
Saturday 21 November 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
CJ Johnson will examine the rich cinematic treatment of the celebrity outlaw.
Kids Club for 5–8 year olds (10.30am): Make it sparkle
Sunday 22 November 2026, 10.30am – 12pm
Celebrate the end of the year by creating a festive three-dimensional hanging ornament.
Kids Club for 9–12 year olds (10.30am): Make it sparkle
Sunday 22 November 2026, 10.30am – 12pm
Celebrate the end of the year by creating a festive three-dimensional hanging ornament.
Kids Club for 5–8 year olds (1.30pm): Make it sparkle
Sunday 22 November 2026, 1.30–3pm
Celebrate the end of the year by creating a festive three-dimensional hanging ornament.
Kids Club for 9–12 year olds (1.30pm): Make it sparkle
Sunday 22 November 2026, 1.30–3pm
Celebrate the end of the year by creating a festive three-dimensional hanging ornament.
Online lectures
Art Appreciation 2026 online - Term 2
3 June – 25 November 2026
Term 2 lectures of the Art Appreciation 2026 online lectures.
Head to toe: exploring timeless fashion and accessories online - Full series
31 July – 13 November 2026
Discover the stories behind your favourite fashion items in this lecture series with Claudia Chan Shaw online.
Art Appreciation 2026 online - Term 3
23 September 2026 – 3 March 2027
Term 3 lectures of the Art Appreciation 2026 online lectures.
Sacred visions: religious arts of Asia online – Full series
25 September 2026 – 8 January 2027
Professor Julian Droogan explores Asian religious traditions through art, architecture, stories and cultural objects in this online series
Rebels with a cause: breaking the rules of art, photography, fashion and film online – Full series
13 November 2026 – 5 March 2027
In this four-part lecture series online explore how throughout history, rebels, outlaws and nonconformists.
Members exclusive events
Members' Early Access
Early access is available exclusively to members. To attend, please ensure you have booked your exhibition ticket in advance.
All members can purchase discounted member tickets or you can use your complimentary tickets included in your membership.
Please note that Early Access is reserved exclusively for members. Members are welcome to attend with their guests during public viewing times.
Exclusive members access | Nolan: Origins
Saturday 10 October 2026, 9–10am
Enjoy member’s only exclusive access to 'Nolan: Origins'.
Exclusive members access | Takashi Murakami: When the Mountain Is High, the Moon Rises Higher
Sunday 6 December 2026, 9–10am
Enjoy member's only exclusive access to 'Takashi Murakami: When the Mountain Is High, the Moon Rises Higher'.
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