Mosman Art Gallery

History

Mosman Art Gallery was established in 1998 as a result of a community-led drive to celebrate the incredible artistic talent and heritage of the Mosman region and to provide a permanent home for the Mosman Art Prize and the Mosman Art Collection.

Mosman is an area of rich artistic heritage and tradition that has inspired generations of artists. Mosman is located on the traditional lands of the Cameraigal and Borogaigal peoples and its foreshore is dotted with over 170 significant Aboriginal sites including ochre works and rock engravings. From the early days of the Sydney colony the area around Mosman captured the imagination of artists such as Conrad Martens and in the late 19th century Mosman became a creative refuge with the establishment of the famed artists camps at Balmoral Beach and Sirius Cove, with artists such as Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts, Julian Ashton and Sydney Long inspiring a new sense of Australian identity. In the 20th century Mosman furthered its reputation as a centre of artistic and creative production with artists such as Margaret Preston, Hilda Rix Nicholas and Ethel Carrick Fox, the

development of a range of design and ceramic studios and the influence of the Theosophist movement with its headquarters in Clifton Gardens. During World War II, Middle Head became home to the Australian Army’s Camouflage School and artists such as Frank Hinder. After the war came new artistic movements and it is said that Australian Modernism was born with conversations around the dining room table of ‘Doc’ and Mary Evatt’s Mosman home. This post war period also inspired a young artist, architect and Mosman Alderman by the name of Allan Gamble and in 1947 he initiated the now annual Mosman Art Prize, first judged by Lloyd Rees and won by a young Margaret Olley. In more recent years Mosman has been home to a range of important artists such as Nancy Borlase, Kevin Connor, Bernard Sahm, Ken Done AM, John Caldwell, Kerrie Lester and Jumaadi.

On 11 December 1998 Mosman Art Gallery was officially opened by the Australian Governor-General, Sir William Dean. In its previous life the building had been a Methodist Church designed by Burcham Clamp and Walter Burley Griffin and was built in 1915.

Our Team

John Cheeseman

Manager Cultural Services/ Art Gallery

Kelly McDonald

Assistant Gallery Director / Senior Curator

Ann Shoebridge

Philanthropy Officer

Althea Kuzman

Public Programs Officer Exhibitions and Communications

Susanna Carter

Public Programs Officer Education, Volunteers & Friends

Yolande Pierce

Venue Coordinator

Phillip Schubert

Operations Officer

Jane Hurley

Venue and Markets Officer

Sunny Patel

Cultural Services Administration Officer

Emma Cantali

Art Gallery Trainee

Jeremy Fox

Venue Administration Officer

Kylie Sauermann

Venue Administration Officer

Awards

2022

Special Acknowledgement - Local Government Week Award Winners for Hunters & Collectors – Art Collection Conservation Strategy

2020

Winner of MAGNA Award for Indigenous Project or Keeping Place for Three Views

2019

Winner Leo Kelly Award for Art and Culture for New Sacred

2018

Highly Commended - Exhibitions MAGNA Awards for Tokkotai: Australian and Japanese artists on war and the battle of Sydney Harbour

2017

Highly Commended - Exhibitions IMAGINE Awards for Tokkotai: Australian and Japanese artists on war and the battle of Sydney Harbour

2016

Winner of the IMAGINE Award for Best Exhibition in NSW for Destination Sydney

2016

Winner of the FIAMP/ICON International Video Art Award for SYRIA by Khaled Sabsabi

2016

Winner of the RH Dougherty Award for Innovation in Special Events - Bungaree's Farm

2016

Highly Commended in the National Local Government Awards - Promoting Indigenous Recognition (for Bungaree's Farm)

2016

Bungaree's Farm Project recognised as a project of Global Significance, Best in Heritage Awards (Dubrovnik, Croatia)

2015

Overall National Winner of the Museum and Galleries National Awards for Bungaree’s Farm

2015

Winner of the Museums and Galleries National Award for Indigenous Project or Keeping Place

2014

Winner of the IMAGINE Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Staff Member (Volunteer)

2013

Highly Commended in IMAGINE Awards for Collection Management

2013

Highly commended in Museums and Galleries National Award for Exhibition

2013

Winner of Museums Australia Publications and Design Award

2012

Highly Commended in IMAGINE Awards for Exhibitions and Public Programs

2012

Winner of NSW Local Government Art and Cultural Award for Festivals and Events

2011

Winner of NSW Local Government Art and Cultural Award for Festivals and Events

2011

Winner of Museums and Galleries National Award for Exhibition

FAQs

Can I hire spaces at the Mosman Art Gallery?

Yes. Please visit the Venue Hire page on our website to find rates and make an enquiry. It is not possible to hire the galleries to stage an art exhibition.
Can I exhibit my art at Mosman Art Gallery?

Mosman Art Gallery is proud to exhibit the work of local artists and there are several ways that you can exhibit your work at Mosman Art Gallery. Every second year we hold an exhibition for artists who live in the postcode of 2088 or are Members of Mosman Art Gallery. Each year we accept entries for the Mosman Art Prize, an acquisitive prize for paintings. Artists aged 12-21 can enter their work in the annual Youth Art Prize, with more information here.

Mosman Art Gallery has a dedicated exhibition space called ‘In Profile’ to ensure that we always have works by local artists on display at Mosman Art Gallery. Each year we host four exhibitions. If you are a local artist and want us to know about your work please send information about your work, via email, to curatorial@mosman.nsw.gov.au.
Do you accept exhibition proposals?

If you would like to let the curatorial team know about your work, or propose an exhibition, please send an exhibition proposal to curatorial@mosman.nsw.gov.au. Your exhibition proposal should include: a project outline including a description of artworks and information about each artist and curator; possible dates including a project timeline; a proposed budget including any funding opportunities; up to 10 images per artist and your contact details. Incoming exhibition proposals are assessed quarterly by our curatorial team. We only accept proposals digitally. Before submitting a proposal, we recommend you look into Mosman Art Gallery’s past exhibitions, our exhibition priorities and our Gallery spaces.
Can I donate an artwork to Mosman Art Gallery?

Yes, we do take donations of artworks to Mosman Art Gallery, most commonly through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gift Policy. Please note that all proposed donations are reviewed to ensure that they meet the Collection Policy for the Mosman Art Collection, they must be of significant artistic merit, be appropriate for our Collection and that we have the capacity to store and care for the artwork. For more information, please contact the gallery on 02 9978 4178 or emailing us philanthropy@mosman.nsw.gov.au.
Can I buy artworks from the Mosman Art Gallery?

Some artworks are for sale, such as in art prizes or the In Profile exhibitions. When artworks are for sale, they will have a price listed on the wall label. If you are unsure, you can ask our front of house staff.
Do you have guided tours of your exhibitions?

Our experienced and knowledgeable Volunteer Guides provide free tours of our exhibitions. Please refer to our What’s On page to find out more.
Do you have art classes?

We have occasional art classes for adults on Wednesday evenings. More information can be found in our What’s On page. We have a range of art classes for children – Art Explorers and Art Now – School Holiday Workshops, you can find out more on our Kids & Families page.
Do I have to pay to visit the Mosman Art Gallery?

Mosman Art Gallery is free to visit. We charge for some talks, workshops, and classes.
Can I sketch and draw inside Mosman Art Gallery?

You may sketch and draw with pencils in the Gallery. Please check-in with our front of house team first.
Can I take photographs inside Mosman Art Gallery?

Photography for personal use is permitted within Mosman Art Gallery. Please note that use of flash is not permitted within the Gallery spaces.
Is Mosman Art Gallery wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Mosman Art Gallery is accessible by wheelchair users. There is a ramp into the Gallery, disabled parking nearby, an internal lift and accessible bathroom. Please contact us if you have any questions about access requirements for Mosman Art Gallery by phoning us on 02 9978 4178 or emailing us gallery@mosman.nsw.gov.au.
How can I find out about events at Mosman Art Gallery?

We advise you subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to hear about our programs and events.
Can I become a member of Mosman Art Gallery?

Yes, it’s easy to become a Member of Mosman Art Gallery. You can join online or when you visit the Gallery. Membership is $55/year for an individual, $66/year for couples and concession rates are available. For more information about benefits and discounts visit the Become a Member page.
How can I get a job at Mosman Art Gallery?

All roles at Mosman Art Gallery are advertised on the Mosman Council website.
Can I volunteer for Mosman Art Gallery?

Yes, Mosman Art Gallery is grateful for the invaluable role our volunteers play in the operation of Mosman Art Gallery. Learn more about volunteering.
How can I support Mosman Art Gallery?

There are several ways to support Mosman Art Gallery either with one-off donations or ongoing support. Donations support our exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, and programs for our community. Find out more about how to support Mosman Art Gallery.
Do you have programs for children or young people?

Yes – we have several one-off and ongoing programs for children including Art Now, our monthly art-making activity for younger kids Art Explorers as well as one-off Artist-led workshops. You can find out more information on our Kids & Families page.
Text, image and copyright requests

For text and image reproduction requests, and copyright requests, please contact curatorial@mosman.nsw.gov.au. Some artworks from the Mosman Art Collection are available for sale as postcards in the Gallery Shop.

The Gallery

History

Our Team

Awards

FAQs