The National Art School is a significant Australian visual arts education institution, with origins that can be traced back to 1843. It has a rich tradition of artistic practice and a well-renowned alumni.

Housed in the historic walls of the old Darlinghurst Gaol in Sydney’s premier arts precinct, the National Art School offers a select number of full time programs; Bachelor of Fine Art, Graduate Diploma of Fine Art and Master of Fine Art, and for the community, a comprehensive range of part-time and intensive short courses.

The National Art School specialises in the mastery of technical skills and conceptual knowledge required to be an artist. We offer a high ratio staff to students, with intensive instruction by professional practising artists taking place in a studio environment. Students have access to over 80 eminent practising artists with established studios and art historians who lecture and provide intensive tuition. Drawing, art history and theory and their relationships to contemporary culture are taught each year in the undergraduate programs.

The National Art School Gallery presents a rich and engaging year-long exhibition year-long program of exhibitions – spanning solo and group shows of local and international artists as well as Graduate Exhibitions – that contributes to the cultural fabric of the School and more broadly to Sydney and national audiences.

NAS’s historic venues, including the Cell Block Theatre and The Chapel, are also available for hire for commercial events, theatrical productions and private and public functions.