National Art School

75 reviews

156 Forbes St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia

www.nas.edu.au

+61293398744

About

National Art School is a Art gallery located at 156 Forbes St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia. It has received 75 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 stars.

Photos

Hours

Monday9AM-10PM
Tuesday9AM-5PM
Wednesday10AM-5PM
ThursdayClosed
Friday9AM-5PM
Saturday9AM-5PM
Sunday9AM-5PM

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The address of National Art School: 156 Forbes St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia

  • National Art School has 4.5 stars from 75 reviews

  • Art gallery

  • "Turns out I have a talent for crying and making a mess of things, which works well in the world of abstract art, but not so much in the day to day of living"

    "Joined organised walking tour through the old Darlinghurst Goal ( now the National Art School) snd it was lively historical tour, shedding light on the site's fascinating history and exposing the dark, hidden corners that aren’t usually open for public access"

    "My husband and I recently got married at the National Art School and it was absolutely sensational! The staff we worked with, Jerome and Olivia, we’re incredibly supportive, helpful and diligent in helping us to organise our dream day"

    "Meow! I would recommend this campus as a casual stroll for tourists"

    "Terrible experience, won't recommend at all"

Reviews

  • Stevie Melissa Grantham

Turns out I have a talent for crying and making a mess of things, which works well in the world of abstract art, but not so much in the day to day of living. So what am I good at? I don't know, not pharmacy, not much of anything, really. Being myself, I'm good at that. Is that useful? Perhaps not for the pragmatic, or the ones who would perpetually lie to me. You need a job, they would say. You need a job! But what good is a job if you hate it every day, and the people who made you do it, you hate them too? For the lies, the encumbrances, the back handed misdirections - I paint for them whenever I lease myself the opportunity. And I enjoy it, almost every time. Making a career of painting, though, pretty hard I'd reckon but what I've had to do for my career up untill this point has been pretty hard anyway, so there's that. Hugely ironic that the school occupies what once was a gaol, and thoughts of malice and malcontent are matched by creativity and self expression in peculiar quirks. My first art class proper at 49! The more I do the more I realize I know nothing, know that I've somehow attempted much of it before and will no doubt continue on with my unusual ways. Only now am I learning why. Once again, dear friends, into the fray, lead on, lead on! (Also, who knew they made all graphite pencils? NO SHARPENING REQUIRED)

  • Kathryn Bendall

Joined organised walking tour through the old Darlinghurst Goal ( now the National Art School) snd it was lively historical tour, shedding light on the site's fascinating history and exposing the dark, hidden corners that aren’t usually open for public access. Led by an expert historical guide, the tour took approximately ninety minutes and includes the historic Cell Block Theatre, the Chapel, the old Governor’s residence, the morgue, the tunnel which was used to process and delouse prisoners and the site of the former gallows. It was amazing. Educational and bizarrely entertaining . Highly recommended. Book through The National Art School.

  • Esther San Miguel

My husband and I recently got married at the National Art School and it was absolutely sensational! The staff we worked with, Jerome and Olivia, we’re incredibly supportive, helpful and diligent in helping us to organise our dream day. The venue itself blew our guests breath away! We had our ceremony on the library lawns, our canapés and cocktails were served in the Courtyard and then our reception was held in the Cell Block Theatre. What an absolute dream! I highly recommend this venue as a space to create a truly wonderful experience for everyone involved. Huge thanks to the team at the NAS!

  • Poppy Le Chat

Meow! I would recommend this campus as a casual stroll for tourists. Lots of old buildings and still has a that institutionalised feeling (prison). Also love seeing all the art students sketching - observing and judging life as cats do too! 4 paws …

  • Ariel L

Terrible experience, won't recommend at all. Enrolled in a short course on month in advance and complete the payment. Buy all the required material (spend a lot of money) and they send an email 2DAYS BEFORE the class saying the class is CANCEL!

  • Vivek Krishan

A very informative tour organised by the HHT took us inside all the buildings and a view of the archives as well as a fascinating history of the buildings and of all its past avatars before it became the NAS in 2005.

  • Katika Schultz

An amazing hideout oasis, a beautiful gallery with a lift, destination art shop and a Cafe to top it off. Make sure you check out if there is an exhibition happening in the drawing gallery and the Hoff space.

  • Jens

This school has some wonderful ghost stories, and it is very near to gay clubs, which is very nice and artists can come anytime to have fun, here are some library photos with stonewall riot history xx

  • undertheapi

A surprisingly quiet place. Always check to see if there is an exhibit, it's worth it. Also, it hasn't really changed since i was there for an exhibit last back in 2008.

  • Ben Pushka

I came here for a Google maps promo event #cityexperts and it's amazing ~ old cell blocks and sand stone buildings ~ modern and vintage feel ~

  • Paul Castle Dine (PCD)

This place is loaded with with history and amazing photographic oportunities. There is also a cafe here is you're visiting during the week.

  • Edmund

Several art exhibitions are on, free to the public. Several buildings hold various exhibitions. Its worth a visit!

  • Tim Suh

Great place to go to full of good and beautiful art. Also if you want you pay for some go to the main gallery.

  • Caleb Packer

Absolutely pathetic. A degree in the arts is even worse than a masters in engineering although not by much.

  • Reg Jarvis

Wandered through the School a few times. Fascinating looking at the heritage of the old Darlinghurst jail.

  • Timothy Ng

Really solid place. Came here for a workshop and the tutors, space and opportunity are incredible.

  • lynn koeppl

Dobell drawing prize is always wonderful but even better when held in such a historic venue.

  • Old Man Jed

It is an okay example of a set of heritage buildings being used for a current purpose.

  • Алина Светлова

Wonderful exhibition The Grad show 2020! Good place for meeting new fresh art.

  • Simon Harrington

Nicely kept buildings and grounds, it's a great quiet place to just go chill.

  • Georgie bowz

Studied my BFA here. Loved every second. Supportive staff, amazing community.

  • Mark Roberts

History to the eyeballs. An oasis of culture in a corporate city

  • Nivi Lyberth

Great place to go for a look around. Amazing buildings

  • Yelena Revis

Visited postgraduate exhibition, it was very creative

  • Deborah George

Nice area, cafe and grounds. Great learning spaces.

  • tatiana ermolaeva

had a short course @NAS - the worst experience ever

  • Peter

A great Colin Lanceley exhibition on at present.

  • peter wilkinson

Had a special tour of the Darlinghurst Gaol.

  • Ronaldo Aquino

Great showcase of up and coming artists..

  • Rodney Masters

Stunning buildings enjoyed the displays

  • Peter D

The premier art school in Australia.

  • R Ja

Exhibition for Pride is great.

  • Carl Barker

Great place to do art …

  • MDR Reed

Accepting moderate people

  • Donna Gow

Gaol turned art school

  • Anoushka Zissa Sansom

Excellent art school

  • caite priestley

absolutely lovely

  • We Love Parquet Australia

Fantastic place!

  • Jacqueline Rosenthal

Beautiful place

  • Malcolm Heard

Loved it …

  • Rodney Hutten

Good one …

  • Keith Harding

Lovely santuary

  • Vee Bee

Cool venue

  • Charlotte Simpson

The best

  • Karel Anders

6gardens

  • Duncan WILKIE

Simply!

  • Captain

Awesome

  • Manal al-Sharif (Mia)
  • khang le
  • Tara Burgess
  • Anni Ma
  • Evan Turner
  • Adrian Nill
  • william cox
  • Rashid Mostafa
  • Peter Belinfante
  • Mick Falcioni
  • Alex Mcevoy
  • Everett Thompson
  • justine boucher
  • Chris Beaman
  • Mr Andrew May
  • Mansuriii
  • S. Haider Hassan Rizvi
  • Lucy Chetcuti
  • Patrick Villahermosa
  • Kim Thompson
  • Jock Mackenzie
  • Diedre ledger
  • Boncheol Goo
  • brookemeyer photography
  • Jonathan Summers
  • Lynn Koeppl
  • Arthur S
  • shai de vletter-sont

Similar places

Art Gallery of New South Wales

11586 reviews

Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

White Rabbit Gallery

1905 reviews

30 Balfour St, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia

Oxford Art Factory

1096 reviews

38/46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia

ATTY Gallery

274 reviews

27 Playfair St, The Rocks NSW 2000

Brett Whiteley Studio

242 reviews

2 Raper St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Penrith Regional Gallery

187 reviews

86 River Rd, Emu Plains NSW 2750, Australia

Mosman Art Gallery

184 reviews

1 Art Gallery Way, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia

Lost Bear Gallery

155 reviews

98 Lurline St, Katoomba NSW 2780

S. H. Ervin Gallery

132 reviews

2 Watson Rd, Millers Point NSW 2000, Australia

The Ken Done Gallery

130 reviews

1 Hickson Rd, The Rocks NSW 2000