Founded in 1881, the Art Gallery of South Australia is home to one of Australia's great art collections, housed in one of Adelaide's most beautiful buildings. Located at the heart of Adelaide's cultural boulevard, North Terrace, the Gallery welcomes more than half a million visitors each year.
Since 2009 The Balnaves Foundation provided funding for the Art Gallery to develop and deliver a program for children aged between five and ten. The program, named START at the Gallery, aimed to introduce children to the Art Gallery and set the groundwork for a life-long love of the arts. Over the 6 years, the project has successfully grown and over 6,000 children attend START each year on the first Sunday of every month.The Balnaves Foundation supported START because we believe in the immense social benefits of connecting young people with the Arts through activities that are engaging, fun and relevant to their age.
As START was well established after 6 years, in consultation with the Art Gallery, it was agreed that The Balnaves Foundation funding would shift to a new program for teenagers aged 13 - 17 years. Each NEO event brings teenagers into the gallery to engage with art in a social setting enlivened with live music, film screenings, food and beverages, art making activities, conversations with artists and much more! A new free membership program for youth audiences was also introduced. NEO engages with its audience in ways that are exciting, dynamic and relevant to them.
The Balnaves Foundation has also supported the 2012, 2014 and 2016 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art and will continue this support as a major partner for the 2018 Adelaide Biennial.
The Adelaide Biennial is the country's longest running survey of contemporary Australian art and represents the galleries dedication to showcasing up-to-the-minute works by Australian best contemporary artists.
Find out more about the Art Gallery of South Australia here.
Mar 7, 2018
Divided Worlds straddles ideological and geographical gulfs with its collection of sculpture, photography, installation, video and painting.
Feb 20, 2018
South Australia's flagship contemporary art exhibition secures 37% increase in donations over 2016, thanks to continued support from The Balnaves Foundation, the generosity of new business donors and an expansion of its giving circle program.
Oct 27, 2017
As part of TARNANTHI: Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, The Art Gallery of South Australia will be staying open late for a deadly Halloween. Celeste Aldahn, the event’s coordinator, spoke with Tom Mann from Radio Adelaide this morning. Listen here.
Jul 6, 2017
Illustrator Robin Tatlow-Lord was just shy of her teenage years when she realised she wanted to pursue art professionally.
Jul 5, 2017
Illustrator Robin Tatlow-Lord was just shy of her teenage years when she realised she wanted to pursue art professionally.
Jun 15, 2017
In an increasingly competitive environment for government resources, philanthropy has never been more important.
Aug 26, 2016
Nick Mitzevich, Director Art Gallery of South Australia, delivers a speech at an SA Press Club event with three major announcements that underline AGSA's success.
May 1, 2016
Over the past six years the Art Gallery of South Australia, in partnership with the Balnaves Foundation, has built a children's program that has had an extraordinary impact on the makeup and number of Gallery visitors.
Mar 12, 2016
Adelaide has thrown down the gauntlet with a show that sparkles like a revolving disco ball. I can’t recall an exhibition of contemporary Australian art which has opened with more positive energy than the 2016 Adelaide Biennial: Magic Object.
Dec 22, 2015
A peer-led approach is key to the Art Gallery of South Australia's bold plan to get more teenagers aged 13 to 17 involved with its activities in 2016.
Dec 12, 2015
Long-time gallery supporters the Balnaves Foundation and the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation have boosted their support. The gallery said it had secured $1 million more over the next three years to further develop its children's programs and create one aimed at 13-to-17-year-olds.
Dec 28, 2014
This month, kids were able to make a “festive hat” as part of the Fashion Icons exhibition.
Dec 7, 2014
Multi-millionaire media entrepreneur turned art lover, Neil Balnaves, wants more Australians to experience the joy of philanthropy.
May 31, 2014
As part of the START program at the Art Gallery of South Australia, children will take part in a yarn-bombing event.