Sir William Dobell Art Foundation

Close-up portrait of a young man with dark hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, in a painterly style, with a blurred background of bookshelves.

William Dobell , self-portrait 1932, oil on wood panel, 35 x 27cm, Art Gallery of New South Wales collection, purchased with assistance of the Dobell Art Foundation 1985

Celebrated Australian artist, Sir William Dobell KBE, left his estate in 1971 to form a foundation “for the benefit and promotion of art in NSW.” We continue to honour his legacy by investing in artists, exhibitions, public collections and art education.

The Foundation supports projects in partnership with leading arts organisations and institutions, enabling sustained and meaningful impact across the arts sector.

A priority of the Foundation is supporting artistic activity beyond metropolitan centres, and increasing access in regional communities.

We support artists at all stages of their careers, from education and mentorship through to exhibition and public engagement, enabling the development of artistic practice and connection with audiences.

Through our programs and partnerships, the Foundation fosters a vibrant and inclusive arts community, where artists are supported and are able to contribute meaningfully to cultural life.

A group of people, six women and three men, pose in front of a large geometric reflective sculpture outdoors on a sunny day. The group includes a woman with short hair, a woman with longer hair, two women with patterned blouses, and three men, one with a beard and glasses. The sculpture is a shiny, multifaceted metal structure with reflections of the surroundings and people.

The William Dobell Art Foundation Board next to the Herbert Flugelman, Dobell Memorial Sculpture (1979)

To continue and broaden our direct support of artists, the Foundation invites donations and bequests. We are a registered Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR1). All donations are tax deductible. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for funding.

Learn more about our Programs, explore our History, or find out how to Support Us.