firstdraft
firstdraft is a non-profit gallery run on a voluntary basis by a group of practising artists. It is one of the longest running and most successful artist-run initiatives in Australia. firstdraft asserts the importance of contemporary art production, dissemination and discussion in society, providing a stimulating exhibition space that is professional and accessible for a diverse range of artistic practices and projects. Firsdraft Gallery celebrates it's 25th Birthday in 2011.
Opening Hours 12pm-6pm Wed -Sun
Address 116-118 Chalmers Street Surry Hills 2010
Phone (02) 9698 3665
E-mail mail@firstdraftgallery.com
Directors 8 artist Directors annually- see website for details
Closest Train Station Central station 5 minutes walk
Closest Bus Stop Elizabeth Street buses 2 minutes walk
Car Parking 1-2 hour metered street parking in surrounding streets
Acknowledgements:
Firstdraft would like to Acknowledge:
Australia Council for the Arts
ArtsNSW
Tess & Tony Horwitz
Herkes Pro Lighting
City of Sydney Council
Porters Paints
Past & present Firstdraft Directors
Wheelchair Accessible Firstdraft Gallery is wheelchair accessible, with one wheelchair accessible toilet. Ground floor, no stairs.
Proposals Firstdraft call for proposals for exhibitions and other programs approximately every six months. Stay tuned to Firstdraft’s website or join their Facebook page for updates regarding submission deadlines.
WEBSITES
http://www.facebook.com/fdgallery
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BACKGROUND
firstdraft was incorporated in 1985 as a non-profit, artist managed organisation and established in 1986 with seed funding from the Australia Council. Every two years a new group of directors is selected to administer firstdraft. It is expected that the directors are themselves practising artists. The turnover of directors provides the opportunity for a reformation of the way the gallery functions and provides the possibility for new approaches to the style of artwork it shows. This gallery, in its third relocation since its inception, is now located in premises in Surry Hills, Sydney, these premises also housing artists' studios. The longevity of firstdraft is probably due to a range of factors. Certainly, funding from the Australia Council is one of the most important. This funding has been invaluable in that is has allowed for the reduction of some of the rent expected from the artists who exhibit there. This is particularly significant in terms of equity for access to exhibition, given the cost of rent in inner Sydney compared to the rest of Australia.