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 celebrated 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

Supporting regional art initiatives

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. More…

Museums & Galleries NSW

Dobell Exhibition Grant

Supporting Museums & Galleries NSW to offer $40,000 in funding to one NSW regional gallery per annum. More…

National Art School

Dobell Drawing School

Each year the Foundation funds the Dobell Drawing School for Year 11 Students at the National Art School.. More…

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. More…

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. More…

Art Gallery Society

Learning Curve Lecture Series

The Dobell Foundation sponsors the Art Gallery Society’s Learning Curve Lecture Series. More…

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. More…

The Sir William Dobell Art Foundation has been supporting individual artists and public institutions for five 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.