Museums & Galleries of NSW

26/05/2026

This National Reconciliation Week, we reflect on how we can all contribute to reconciliation in Australia.

Museums & Galleries of NSW is committed to supporting a stronger, more inclusive cultural sector that respects and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, stories and communities.

Photo from the recent program, Volunteer Museums: Engagement with Aboriginal Cultural Heritage. Developed by the Aboriginal Culture, Heritage & Arts Association (ACHAA) in partnership with Museums & Galleries of NSW, this training program supported museums to work respectfully, confidently and ethically with Aboriginal cultural heritage, collections and communities.
Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre (Gumbaynggirr Country, Corindi Beach)


https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/

20/05/2026

We recently conducted an Insights interview with Rilka Oakley, Blue Mountains City Council’s Artistic Program Leader, on creating an immersive touring exhibition designed with and for neurodivergent audiences.

An insights interview with Rilka Oakley on creating an immersive touring exhibition designed with and for neurodivergent audiences.

17/05/2026

This National Volunteer Week, Museums & Galleries of NSW proudly acknowledges and thanks the thousands of volunteers who support museums, galleries, heritage organisations, and Aboriginal cultural centres across New South Wales.

From caring for collections and preserving local history to welcoming visitors, delivering programs, and sharing community stories, volunteers are at the heart of our cultural sector.

National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering. It recognises the contribution of millions of volunteers across the country and invites everyone to discover how giving their time and talents can create connection, purpose, and stronger communities. THEME - YOUR Y...

14/05/2026

We are pleased to announce the recipients of the recent round of the Fellowship, Mentorship, and Volunteer Placement Program. This program provides valuable professional development opportunities for museum and gallery staff and volunteers throughout New South Wales.

The Fellowship, Mentorship and Volunteer Placement Program is a Create NSW devolved funding program, administered by Museums & Galleries of NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.

We are pleased to announce the recipients of the recent round of the Fellowship, Mentorship, and Volunteer Placement Program. This program provides valuable professional development opportunities for museum and gallery staff and volunteers throughout New South Wales.

08/05/2026

Access to Funding
Practical skills and tools to strengthen your next grant application

Securing funding for your organisation or project is more competitive than ever. That’s why Museums & Galleries of NSW is hosting Access to Funding, a practical and engaging workshop designed especially for small and volunteer-run museums.

This free session will help you understand the broader funding landscape and give you the confidence to start or strengthen your grant applications.

Less than 2 Weeks away - book now

Practical skills and tools to strengthen your next grant application

30/04/2026

M&G NSW is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Libby (Elizabeth) Newell. Libby was a dedicated and passionate contributor to the museum sector, particularly to small, volunteer-run museums that benefited greatly from her knowledge and enthusiasm.

Libby had a deep love for her work and for the communities she supported. She often spoke about retiring but would always say, “I had too much fun last year—maybe I’ll retire next year,” reflecting the joy and commitment she brought to her role. In particular, Libby loved the museums she worked with in Tenterfield as their M&G NSW Museum Advisor; she spoke very highly of the volunteers and was excited to encourage them to nominate for the IMAGinE Awards this year.

Over the past two decades, Libby worked across the regional and community museum sector as a volunteer, curator, M&G NSW Museum Advisor, and consultant. She was also a tireless advocate for the sector, representing it on a state government museum advisory committee, serving as a Director on the M&G NSW Board, contributing to the chapter network, and serving as an executive of AMaGA NSW.

In collaboration with Libby’s family, M&G NSW has established a fund in her honour. This fund will provide a one-off grant to support the volunteer museum sector that Libby cared for so deeply.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the fund, please follow this link:
https://mgnsw.org.au/articles/vale-libby-newell/

We look forward to announcing the application process for this special grant to honour Libby in the coming months.

M&G NSW is deeply saddened by the passing of Libby (Elizabeth) Newell. Libby was a dedicated and passionate contributor to the museum sector, particularly to small, volunteer-run museums that benefited greatly from her knowledge and enthusiasm.

09/04/2026

Audience Development Fund 2026 - now open
Amount available: up to $8,000 for each grant (no minimum)
With M&G NSW investment in 2026, the Audience Development Fund has been broadened to accept applications from publicly funded salaried museums and Aboriginal cultural centres in NSW, as well as galleries. The ADF offers assistance in targeting and developing new audiences. It encourages organisations to create innovative public programs that engage with collections, visual arts practice, and communities.

Assistance for publicly funded salaried museums and galleries in NSW assistance in targeting and developing new audiences.

23/03/2026

Museums & Galleries of NSW is deeply saddened by the passing of Rhoda Roberts AO, a powerful and respected voice in the arts and cultural life of New South Wales. A proud Widjabul-Wyabul woman of the Bundjalung nation, Rhoda was a tireless advocate for First Nations artists, culture and storytelling. Her work as a cultural leader shaped institutions, festivals and audiences across the state, leaving a lasting legacy. She championed visibility, equity and truth-telling, opening doors for generations of artists and cultural practitioners.

While her significant work as a journalist, producer and theatre performer is more widely known through roles such as Head of First Nations Programming for the Sydney Opera House; Creative Director of the Indigenous component of the Sydney Olympic Games opening ceremony; Festival Director of the Boomerang Festival/ Bluesfest; festival Curator of the Parrtjima Festival (NT) and Creative Director First Nations programming at NORPA (Northern Rivers Performing Arts) – she also had her own solo practice.

A major work of hers was included in the 2025 IMAGinE Award winning exhibition Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali, which celebrated the rich woven histories and identities of Bundjalung women. This project was also a recipient of the M&G NSW Dobell Exhibition Grant.
We extend our deepest condolences to her family, community and all those whose lives she touched.

Credit:
Rhoda Roberts AO, 'Continuous Persistence', Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali Exhibition, 2025. Courtesy of Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre. Photo: Jo-Anne Driessens

Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali Exhibition was an Arts Northern Rivers project, in partnership with Grafton Regional Gallery and presented by Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre and Lismore Regional Gallery. This project was made possible by the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support Program, the NSW Government through Create NSW, the Dobell Exhibition Grant Program, funded by the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation and managed by Museums & Galleries of NSW, and the Australian Government Regional Arts Fund.

20/03/2026

Closing Soon - Volunteer Museum Grants 2026 - Round 1. This program supports a wide range of projects. There are no fixed categories, and we welcome applications for diverse initiatives.

These grants provide assistance to volunteer community museums and Aboriginal cultural centres in New South Wales.

19/03/2026

In our most recent Insights interview, Lauretta Morton OAM reflects on the leadership, resilience and collaboration required to deliver one of the most significant cultural redevelopments in regional Australia.

Newcastle Art Gallery

Lauretta Morton OAM reflects on the leadership, resilience and collaboration required to deliver one of the most significant cultural redevelopments in regional Australia.

12/02/2026

Museums & Galleries of NSW is now accepting applications for the 2026 Volunteer Museum Grant Program.

The program supports a wide range of projects. There are no fixed categories, and applications are welcome for diverse initiatives.

These grants provide assistance to volunteer community museums and Aboriginal cultural centres in New South Wales.