Art Gallery of Western Australia
Founded in Perth in 1895 with the purchase of the nucleus of an art collection by the Perth Museum, the Art Gallery was opened as part of the museum by Sir Alexander Onslow, administrator of the colony, on 31 July 1895.
The foundation stone for the Beaufort Street wing of the museum and gallery was laid by HRH The Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V) on 24 July 1908. For many years the institution was known as the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery of WA. The Library was placed under separate administration in 1954 and in 1959 the Museum was separated from the gallery (which was referred to as the Western Australia Art Gallery), with a board of trustees responsible to the Government for the control of the gallery.
A contract for a new art gallery building was signed in February 1977 on the site bounded by James Street, Beaufort Street and Roe Street and the new building, with nine galleries on two levels was opened on 2 October 1979. In 1982 the adjacent old Police Court building (1905) in Beaufort Street was transferred to the Art Gallery Board. In 1978 the name was changed to the Art Gallery of Western Australia.
In 1997 the Art Gallery, Museum and Library were again combined, together with other agencies, to form a Ministry for Culture and the Arts.
For information on current programs, please visit our website http://www.artgallery.wa.gov.au or call our Infoline 08 9492 6622
The foundation stone for the Beaufort Street wing of the museum and gallery was laid by HRH The Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V) on 24 July 1908. For many years the institution was known as the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery of WA. The Library was placed under separate administration in 1954 and in 1959 the Museum was separated from the gallery (which was referred to as the Western Australia Art Gallery), with a board of trustees responsible to the Government for the control of the gallery.
A contract for a new art gallery building was signed in February 1977 on the site bounded by James Street, Beaufort Street and Roe Street and the new building, with nine galleries on two levels was opened on 2 October 1979. In 1982 the adjacent old Police Court building (1905) in Beaufort Street was transferred to the Art Gallery Board. In 1978 the name was changed to the Art Gallery of Western Australia.
In 1997 the Art Gallery, Museum and Library were again combined, together with other agencies, to form a Ministry for Culture and the Arts.
The State Art Collection
The Art Gallery develops and maintains the pre-eminent art collection in Western Australia. Our purpose is to preserve, interpret, display and acquire the visual arts from the past and the present, with an emphasis on the art of Western Australia and Indigenous art. The State Art Collection comprises 16,700 works in a range of media including paintings, sculptures, craft, design, watercolours, drawings, photographs and prints. Indigenous art is a highlight, providing a comprehensive overview of traditional and contemporary art from Western Australia, the Central Desert and Arnhemland. Our priority is to expand the principal strength of the Collection – art with a central theme of human habitation in the environment. Stories of Habitation encompasses works of art across all areas of the Collection. They are often figurative and landscape based works, which can be described as secular, religious and Indigenous. Each embraces the subject of human habitation, endeavour, beliefs and cultural critique. Through Stories of Habitation, the Collection builds dialogues to support visitor engagement with the art of Western Australia and the art of the world.Visitors
As a popular destination for local, national and international visitors, the Art Gallery presents a range of services and programs to enhance your visit, whether it be a family outing, a corporate function or just a place to meet friends. A program of special exhibitions, guided tours, talks and educational activities, as well as the Art Gallery Shop, Caffissimo and function hire service, ensure there’s always something happening at the Art Gallery of Western Australia.For information on current programs, please visit our website http://www.artgallery.wa.gov.au or call our Infoline 08 9492 6622
