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.

Our History

Establishing art exhibitions and art prizes

Funding publications and acquisitions

Donating works of art to public collections

Supporting educational projects, art schools and scholarships

Funding major public art commissions

Supporting regional art initiatives

Our Activities

Art Gallery NSW

Dobell Australian Drawing Biennial

Curated by the Art Gallery of NSW and held every two years, this is a themed, invitational exhibition that showcases contemporary drawing from around Australia. More…

Museums & Galleries NSW

Dobell Exhibition Grant

$40,000 in funding is awarded each year to one regional gallery through Museums & Galleries NSW. This grant supports new exhibition and program development in NSW.  More…

National Art School

Dobell Drawing School

Each year the Foundation funds 75 talented Year 11 students from regional public schools to attend an intensive week of studio workshops at the National Art School. More…

20 Years | 199 Schools | 1380 Students

National Art School

Regional Teacher Training

Two intensive weekend workshops are funded for 20 Visual Arts teachers in regional NSW to support professional development and refresh teaching skills. More…

National Art School

Dobell Drawing Prize

The Foundation funds an acquisitive $30,000 Dobell Drawing Prize. Finalists selected from over 1000 submissions are exhibited at the NAS in alternative years to the Dobell Australian Drawing Biennial at AGNSW. More…

Art Gallery Society

Lecture Series

The Dobell Foundation sponsors the Art Gallery Society’s art lecture series that supports lifelong learning at the Art Gallery of NSW. More…

Bundanon

Artist in Residence Award

Each year the Dobell Foundation supports Bundanon’s AIR program with an award that funds a stipend for the artist and several weeks residency in a private studio. More…

The Sir William Dobell Art Foundation has been supporting individual artists and public
institutions for five decades through a wide variety of projects that it initiates directly.
The Foundation is independently financed and accepts donations and bequests.  
Please contact us directly should you wish to discuss a donation.

The Foundation is a registered deductible gift recipient (DGR2)
organisation and donations are tax deductible.

The Trust does not invite applications or requests for financial support.