History of the Gallery

We show our respect and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Dharawal Country, Elders past and present, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

Wollongong Art Gallery first opened its doors to the public on 2 June 1978, after many years of campaigning by local artists and community groups for a public exhibition space.

The original Gallery was on the corner of Burelli and Keira streets, where Wollongong Youth Centre is located today. The first exhibition was Burghers of Calais, featuring works borrowed from the National Gallery and Art Gallery of NSW.

As well as providing a place for the community to enjoy art and for artists to exhibit, the Gallery was established as a home for the city's growing art Collection. The first works in the Collection were purchased in 1956, following an art competition organised by the Illawarra Art Society. The Collection has continued to grow steadily through purchases, plus several significant bequests and donations.

In the late 1980s, plans began to move the Gallery to its current location in the art-deco style building which was previously used as Wollongong City Council’s administration building.

Following an award-winning architectural project to convert the building into a gallery space, Wollongong Art Gallery opened at its current location on the corner of Burelli and Kembla streets in August 1991.

Over the years, the Gallery has grown and evolved to become one of the largest regional art museums in Australia.

We take pride in presenting a diverse range of exhibitions, events and opportunities for people to expand their understanding and appreciation of the visual arts.