Artbank Sydney

Art truly imitates life at Artbank Sydney. This incredible institution blurs the lines between gallery and government initiative. Artbank Sydney, located on Young Street in Waterloo, NSW, isn’t just a place to admire art. It’s a vital part of Australia’s cultural landscape. Artbank Sydney plays a crucial role in supporting living Australian artists. The Australian Government established Artbank in 1980. The initial goal was to acquire and showcase contemporary Australian art. Artbank Sydney now holds over 10,000 artworks. These pieces range from paintings and sculptures to photographs and video art. The collection represents over 4,300 Australian artists. Artbank Sydney also boasts an impressive collection of Indigenous and non-Indigenous art. The collection includes works by renowned artists such as John Mawurndjul, Rosalie Gascoigne, and Emily Kame Kngwarreye. Artbank Sydney has a unique leasing program. This program allows individuals and organizations to rent these incredible pieces. This makes art accessible to a wider audience. Artbank has leased artworks to clients in approximately 70 countries. It even places art in Australian embassies and overseas posts. Artbank Sydney has a rich history of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. In its first five years, 9% of its acquisitions were Indigenous artworks. This has grown to 18% of the total collection. Artbank Sydney has also demonstrated a commitment to representing female artists. Women now make up 40% of the collection. In 2019/20, 59% of new acquisitions were by female artists. Artbank continues to evolve with contemporary art practice. It acquired its first video work in 2008. It now holds over 100 new media works. This makes it one of the largest collections of contemporary Australian video art. Artbank Sydney represents more than just a collection of art. It represents a commitment to supporting Australian artists. It aims to make art accessible to everyone.