Tertiary
At the Art Gallery of New South Wales, we have learning programs for all levels of tertiary education and support students with coursework and gaining experience in the arts.
These experiences centre on object-based learning and building connections between students, the museum and the visual arts.
Explore the program and research opportunities listed below or contact our team at tertiary@ag.nsw.gov.au to discuss a visit to the Art Gallery.
Events, on-demand workshops and tours
Lecture series
Sydney Asian Art Series 2024 Cūra: collection, community, care
Various dates and times
March–October 2024Free, bookings required
Learning program
Learning tours For tertiary students
Monday–Fridays, 10am, 12.30pm
Wednesdays also 2.30pm, 6pm
5 February – 12 April
29 April – 5 July
22 July – 27 September
14 October – 20 December 2024Charges apply
Learning program
Artists at work: Francis Upritchard Workshop for tertiary students
Mondays–Fridays 10am, 12.30pm
1 February – 12 April
29 April – 5 July
22 July – 27 September
14 October – 20 December 2024Charges apply
Learning program
The art and life of Brett Whiteley Learning tour for tertiary students
Wednesdays 10am, 12.30pm
7 February – 10 April
1 May – 3 July 2024Charges apply
Self-guided visit
Self-guided visits and entry to our collection displays and most of our exhibitions are free.
Book now
Art Gallery staff talks
We offer specialist talks by Art Gallery staff on museum and curatorial practice to tertiary student groups. These sessions are recommended for those in visual arts, creative industries, curatorial or museum studies programs and provide students with real-world case study examples and access to industry professionals.
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About staff talks
Staff talks are available by request and subject to staff and space availability. Talks are free of charge for tertiary groups, unless exhibition tickets or additional operational costs are required.
Each class is limited to one talk per semester.
Allow six weeks for preparation and coordination.
Capacity for floor talks in the galleries is 30 students.
Capacity for lectures is 300 students.
Capacity for online lectures is 100 students.
If you are interested in a series of staff talks presented in a day or over consecutive weeks, please get in touch with our team to discuss how we can accommodate your request. Please be advised charges will apply for such requests.
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Curatorial practice 45 minutes
Curatorial staff discuss their role and responsibilities of working at the Art Gallery. Using recent exhibitions or collection displays as case studies, students gain insight into the process of exhibition-making, collection care, acquisitions and working with artists and artworks in a public institution.
Our curatorial team includes specialists in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island art, Australian and Asian art, 18th and 19th century European art, and modern and contemporary international art, among others. If a particular collection area is of interest, please indicate your preference in the request form.
Sessions can be delivered as:
a floor-talk in the galleries or exhibition spaces for groups of 30 students
in one of our lecture theatres for up to 300 students
a live online broadcast to your classroom for up to 100 students
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Museum practice 45 minutes
The term ‘museum practice’ refers to a broad range of professional work in museums and art galleries, some visible to a visitor and others behind-the-scenes. Exhibitions, curatorial, conservation, registration, education and public programs, library and archives, marketing and communications, installation and philanthropy are among some of these departments and roles.
In this session, students gain an understanding of museum work from selected specialists across the Art Gallery. If a particular focus of museum work is of interest, please indicate your preference in your request.
Sessions can be delivered as:
a floor-talk in the galleries or exhibition spaces for groups of 30 students
in one of our lecture theatres for up to 300 students
a live online broadcast to your classroom for up to 100 students
Opportunities for students
We offer a range of opportunities for work experience, mentorship and student networking in the visual arts:
Research and study
Visit our library, archive and children’s art library to access books, periodicals and archives related to international and Australian visual arts.
Book to see works on paper from our extensive collection of prints, drawings, photographs and watercolours in the study room.
You can also make an enquiry for research support or course-related questions.
Online resources
Videos, audios and articles about artworks, artists and exhibitions
Sign up for our tertiary e-news for updates on student programs and opportunities
Become an Explore Member
Sign up to the Art Gallery with our Explore membership, a free introduictory membership for 16-25 year olds. Receive discounted exhibition tickets, Membership Lounge access, 10% off at the Gallery Shop, cafes and restaurants and regular gallery updates.