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National Art School

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National Art School

Australia’s leading independent art school CRICOS: 03197B
(815)

The National Art School is Australia’s leading independent art school, dedicated to exceptional, studio-based art education and shaping contemporary art practice.

12/06/2026

Much of Mitch Cairns' work is informed by concrete poetry – the transformation of text into visual or spatial form. 'Polaroid Sketch' is a 10,000-word wall poem originally commissioned for the 2022 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, iterated at NAS Gallery for the first time.

This epic work has a small beginning, drawn from the inscriptions on four Polaroids that Cairns found amongst his late uncle's belongings. They capture his uncle's pets (three cats and a dog), noting their names and locations: in a bag, in a box, in the kitchen, and on the verandah.

Spanning four metres high and seven metres wide, its enormous scale and cumulative effect become consuming and hypnotic.

'Artist's Mouth' continues at NAS Gallery until July 11. Open Monday to Saturday, 11am–5pm.

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Installation view, ‘Mitch Cairns: Artist's Mouth’, National Art School Gallery, Sydney, 2026, image courtesy National Art School © the artist, photograph: Zan Wimberley

10/06/2026

'Having a scholarship means I can come to NAS and focus on my art and my education, without worrying about financial issues' – Lexy Hunter, third-year Bachelor of Fine Art student.

Your support can help provide students with access to scholarships, ensuring all students can pursue a high-quality fine arts education regardless of financial circumstance. These opportunities create pathways for emerging and talented artists like Lexy to learn, grow and succeed.

Make your tax-deductible donation today, link in bio.

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Image: Lexy Hunter in her NAS studio, 2026. Photo: Nicole Anderson

05/06/2026

On Tuesday 9 June, join Mitch Cairns in conversation with exhibition co-curator Lucy Latella as they discuss his major survey exhibition 'Artist's Mouth', his studies at NAS and the evolution of his practice over the past two decades.

A joint project by NAS Gallery and Institute of Modern Art, 'Mitch Cairns: Artist’s Mouth' is the largest and most comprehensive presentation of Cairns’ work to date. It celebrates his twenty-year artistic career since graduating from the National Art School in 2006 and marks the 20th anniversary of the NAS Gallery.

Tuesday 9 June, 12:45–1:30pm at NAS. More information via link in bio.

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Installation view, ‘Mitch Cairns: Artist's Mouth’, National Art School Gallery, Sydney, 2026, image courtesy National Art School © the artist, photograph: Zan Wimberley

04/06/2026

‘Receiving the travelling scholarship was one of the best opportunities of my life and had a huge impact on my practice.’ – Bethany Shanahan, second-year MFA student.

This end of financial year, support the next generation of artists.

Your donation can provide emerging artists like Bethany with access to life-changing opportunities that sustain their artistic careers, during and after art school.

Visit the link in bio to donate now.

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Image: Bethany Shanahan in her NAS studio, 2026. Photo: Nicole Anderson

02/06/2026

The official exhibition catalogue 'Mitch Cairns: Artist’s Mouth' is now available.

Published by the National Art School and Institute of Modern Art, this dedicated publication accompanies the largest exhibition of Mitch Cairns’ work to date.

Featuring essays by co-curators Lucy Latella and Robert Leonard, alongside commissioned texts and richly illustrated reproductions, the catalogue offers a comprehensive insight into Cairns’ practice, tracing two decades of painting, drawing, printmaking, and concrete poetry.

🔗 in bio to shop, student pricing is available for purchases made at NAS Gallery.

27/05/2026

The National Art School is pleased to welcome Bruce Solomon as incoming Chair of the NAS Board, commencing 1 June 2026. NAS also extends its sincere thanks to outgoing Chair Jeff Weeden, whose term concludes on 31 May 2026, in recognition of his leadership and contributions to NAS.

Bruce is the Founder and Director of Solotel Hospitality Management, a Trustee of the Lady Mary Fairfax Estate, and a Director of the Bundanon Trust Board. A longstanding supporter of the National Art School, he has supported emerging artists through the Lift Off Award since 2018. For the full announcement, click the link in bio.

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Images: Bruce Solomon, photo: Nicole Anderson; Jeff Weeden, photo: Nicole Anderson

26/05/2026

As part of National Reconciliation Week at NAS, join us for a special screening of 'WINHANGANHA' (2023) on Tuesday 2 June.

'WINHANGANHA', a Wiradjuri word that can be translated to ‘remember, know, think’ in English, is a lyrical journey of archival footage and sound, poetry and original composition. It is an examination of how archives and the legacies of collection affect First Nations people and wider Australia, told through the lens of acclaimed Wiradjuri artist, Jazz Money.

The evening will include an introduction from Dr Kristen Sharp, Director and CEO, and a brief foreword by the artist.

🔗 in bio to book.

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Image: 'WINHANGANHA' 2023: There's passion marching through the archives. A lyrical journey of archival footage and sound, poetry and original. Supplied by the NFSA.

22/05/2026

The National Art School is honoured to announce Juz Kitson and Tim Maguire as the 2026 National Art School Fellowship recipients, an honorary award recognising their significant contributions to Australia’s visual arts community and to the National Art School.

Juz Kitson is celebrated for her extraordinary multidisciplinary practice spanning ceramics, textiles and drawing. Her immersive and emotionally charged installations challenge the conventions of craft while exploring materiality, mysticism and transformation. Her work is held in major public collections including the National Gallery of Australia, MONA and the Art Gallery of South Australia.

For close to four decades, Tim Maguire has been one of the defining voices in Australian contemporary art. Renowned for his luminous large-scale paintings that blur the boundaries between painting, printmaking and digital image-making, his work has been exhibited extensively throughout Australia and internationally, and is held in leading collections including the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the National Gallery of Victoria.

We congratulate Juz Kitson and Tim Maguire on this well-deserved honour and thank them for their outstanding contributions.
Left to right: Tim Maguire, Dr Kristen Sharp and Juz Kitson, 📷Nicole Anderson

21/05/2026

NAS Gala is back! Save the Date for an evening of infinite imagination and art. Join us for immersive experience of creativity, colour and performance as you enter our world.

Thank you to our major supporter Fairfax & Roberts Jewellers, who are gifting a timeless piece of jewellery for the raffle on the night. More details coming soon! 🎉

15/05/2026

Enrol in a NAS Short Course today!

Enrolments are open for our July – December 2026 programs, featuring short courses, weekend workshops and masterclasses.

With practical, studio-based learning across a range of disciplines, our courses support every stage of your creative journey – from beginners to established practitioners.

🔗 in bio to book.

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Photo: Nicole Anderson

Address

Cnr Of Forbes & Burton Street
Sydney, NSW
2010

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5am
Tuesday	9am - 5am
Wednesday	9am - 5am
Thursday	9am - 5am
Friday	9am - 5am
Saturday	10am - 5am
Sunday	10am - 5am

Telephone

0293398744

Website

http://www.nas.edu.au/

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