The National is an exciting new and innovative, large-scale biennial survey of contemporary art to be jointly curated and presented across three landmark institutions – the Art Gallery of NSW, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Carriageworks – to showcase the work of contemporary Australian artists. The National’s artistic emphasis will be on profiling new work and enabling innovative new commissions over six years – providing substantial opportunities for professional development, exposure and career sustainability for our nation’s living artists.

The Nelson Meers Foundation provided operational funding for the associated with staging the inaugural exhibition, together with the development of a responsive digital platform for mobile, desktop and in-gallery delivery, which will include the development of a rich archive of the participating artists and their practice that will be an important national resource well beyond the life of the exhibition. Not only will the partnership further extend the already significant Australian arts commitment of each institution, it will enable a strategic approach to programing grounded in collaboration. It will present local artists among their national peers, bring the best work from across the country to Sydney, support artists in the realisation of new work and consolidate the profile of Australian arts practice both locally and internationally.