Full description
National Art Gallery (1876-1958)
The National Art Gallery first opened as a permanent public institution on 2 June 1876 in the premises of the New South Wales Academy of Art. The Trustees were chosen from the Council of the Academy, with the original trustees being The Honorable Sir Alfred Stephen, C.B., K.C.M.G., M.L.C., Eliezer Levi Montefiore, Eccleston Du Faur, James Reading Fairfax and James Henry Thomas, the latter being replaced in August by Henry Cary Dangar. (1)
The Library and Art Gallery Act, 1899 (Act No.54, 1899) incorporated the Trustees of the National Art Gallery. The thirteen Trustees (2) were responsible for the management and control of the Art Gallery 'and all books, manuscripts, paintings, engravings, maps, works of art and other things therein' (3) was vested in the trustees. The Trustees were responsible for the appointment of staff (4), the issue of by-laws subject to approval by the Governor (5) , to report annually to the Minister (6), to purchase new works of art from the annual endowment (7), to enter agreements with donors of works to the gallery (8) and to invest funds on the Gallery's behalf. (9)
Art Gallery of New South Wales
The Art Gallery of New South Wales Act 1958 (Act No.1, 1958) retrospectively retitled the Library and Art Gallery Act 1899, the Public Library Act, 1899-1958 and repealed the references and sections relating to the National Art Gallery. (10) The new Act renamed the Gallery the Art Gallery of New South Wales. (11)
The control, management, maintenance and administration of the Gallery was the responsibility of Trustees. The Board of Trustees was to include the Director General of Education or his deputy (12), five persons nominated by the Minister with advice from such persons, authorities, organisations and associations as he thinks fit and one person appointed on the nomination of the trustees. (13) The functions of the trustees are as follows:
. The control and management of the gallery and of all books, pamphlets, manuscripts, pictures, paintings, engravings, statuary, maps, works of art and other chattels and property contained therein;
. The maintenance and administration of the gallery in such manner as will effectively minister to the needs and demands of the community in any or all branches of the visual arts by-
(i) the display of works of art;
(ii) the control of artistic taste and achievement through illustration of the history and development of the visual arts;
(iii) lectures, films, broadcasts, telecasts, publications and other educational means;
(iv) scientific research
(v) any other means which in the opinion of the trustees are necessary or desirable. (14)
The Trustees were also responsible for the appointment of staff (15) making agreements for the acceptance of donations (16), establishing branches of the gallery (17), appropriation of the statutory endowment (18) and reporting to the Minister. (19)
The Act commenced on 1 July 1958 (20) and the names of the trustees were published prior to this date. (21)
The Art Gallery of New South Wales Act, 1980 (Act No.65, 1980) repealed the Art Gallery Act, 1958 and constituted the Art Gallery of New South Wales Trust. (22) The Trust consisted of nine trustees appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister. At least two trustees were required to be knowledgeable and experienced in the visual arts. (23)
The objectives of the Trust were
- to develop and maintain a collection of works of art; and
- to propagate and increase knowledge and appreciation of art. (24)
By 1996 the Art Gallery was divided into five main functional areas:
Curatorial Services
Exhibitions and Building Services
Marketing and Visitor Services
Business Development and Fundraising Services
Corporate and Commercial Services. (25)
In 1996 the role of the Gallery was described as follows:
"The mission of the Art Gallery of NSW is to develop and maintain a collection of works of art and to propagate and increase knowledge and appreciation of art."
"The Gallery exhibits works of art from its own holdings, from collections overseas and other Australian sources. Conducts lectures and guided tours for schools and the public, screens films, provides advisory services, use of the Art Gallery Library, Restaurant, Coffee lounge and art gallery shop facilities". (26)
On 3 December 2022 the Art Gallery of NSW opened its new building known as the Sydney Modern project which transformation the Art Gallery of NSW into a two-building art museum, almost doubling the space for the display and enjoyment of art, providing more art for more people. (27)
Endnotes
1. NSW Government Gazette No.62, 26 February 1876, p.827; NSW Government Gazette No.269, 8 August 1876, p.3061; Sydney Morning Herald, 3 June, 1876, p.5; Sydney Morning Herald, 10 June 1876, p.8.
2. Library and Art Gallery Act, 1899 s.18.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid. s.24.
5. Ibid. s.27.
6. Ibid. s.28.
7. Ibid. s.29.
8. Ibid. s.30.
9. Ibid. s.31.
10. Art Gallery of New South Wales Act, 1958, s.2.
11. Ibid. s.1.
12. Ibid. s.4(4).
13. Ibid s.4(7).
14. Ibid. s.13.
15. Ibid s.9.
16. Ibid s.10.
17. Ibid. s.12.
18. Ibid s.14.
19. Ibid. s.15.
20. NSW Government Gazette No.64, 27 June 1958, p.1915.
21. Ibid., p.1920.
22. Art Gallery Act, 1980 s.5.
23. Ibid. s.6.
24. Ibid. s.7.
25. Art Gallery of New South Wales Annual Report, 1996, p.16.
26. NSW Government Directory, 1996, p.63.
27. Art Gallery of NSW website, Sydney Modern Project https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/sydney-modern-project/ (accessed 2 December 2022).
REFERENCES
(1) Missingham, Hal, "The History of the Art Gallery of NSW" for the Royal Australian Historical Society. April 28, 1970. SRNSW ref. [8/1953].
(2) "Concise Guide", 2nd Edition. "A-Cl ", "Art Gallery of New South Wales", p.67.
(3) Australian Encyclopaedia Vol.1. "Art Galleries", pp.255-256.
(4) Public Service Lists, 1893 & 1897.
(5) Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative Council, 1875 vol.1, pp.166 & 174.
(6) Parliamentary Papers 1972-73, 1973, & 1979-80.
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