Sir William Dobell Art Foundation
The Foundation was formed in 1971 from the artist’s bequest with instructions that
“a Foundation be established for the benefit and promotion of art in NSW."
The Foundation will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2021 and since its inception has sponsored a wide variety of projects including:
Establishing art exhibitions and art prizes
Supporting educational projects, art schools and scholarships
Funding publications and acquisitions
Funding major public art commissions
Donating works of art to public collections
Sir William Dobell Art Foundation Celebrates 50th Anniversary
On October 4 2022, the Dobell Foundation celebrated 50 Years of giving and gifting to the Visual Arts in NSW. The event, delayed by one year due to the Covid pandemic, was held in the Northern Foyer of the Sydney Opera House in front of the vibrant mural, Five Bells, by John Olsen. The mural was the Foundation's first major commission and gift, to celebrate the opening of the Sydney Opera House in 1973.
Our Activities
Art Gallery NSW
Australian Drawing Biennial
Held every two years, this is an AGNSW-curated and themed drawing exhibition of invited artists from around Australia.
Museums & Galleries NSW
Dobell Exhibition Grant
Supporting Museums & Galleries NSW to offer $40,000 in funding to one NSW regional gallery per annum.
National Art School
Dobell Drawing School
Each year the Foundation funds the Dobell Drawing School for Year 11 Students at the National Art School.
20 Years | 199 Schools | 1380 Students
National Art School
Regional Teacher Training
Funding two intensive weekend drawing workshops for 20 Visual Arts teachers in regional NSW.
National Art School
The Dobell Drawing Prize
The new Dobell Drawing Prize will run in alternative years to the Dobell Australian Drawing Biennial at the Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery NSW
Art Express Award
The Sir William Dobell Art Foundation gives an award every year to the best performing art faculty in a secondary school that has students exhibiting in Art Express.
Art Gallery Society
Learning Curve Lecture Series
The Dobell Foundation sponsors the Art Gallery Society’s Learning Curve Lecture Series.
Bundanon
Artist in Residence Scholarship
Each year the Dobell Foundation provides scholarship funding support to a selected Artist as part of the Bundanon Artist In Residence program.
The Sir William Dobell Art Foundation has been supporting individual artists and public institutions for four decades through a wide variety of projects which it initiates directly. The Foundation is independently financed but accepts gifts and bequests. Please contact us directly should you wish to discuss a donation. The Trust does not invite applications or requests for financial support.