It was clear from the outset that the Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW) would face funding problems if its operating budget was not increased commensurate with the expanded expenditure that came with the opening of its north wing, Naala Badu (Sydney Modern). But rather than seeing the state government’s allocation increase to reflect the scale of operations, it has decreased.
The Gallery is looking down the barrel of a $7.5 million cut across its operations – including staff. Why? The AGNSW’s government allocation of $72.4 million in 2024-25, has fallen to $66.6 million in 2025-26.
