‘Had a gutful’: Staff at Art Gallery of NSW to walk out in protest

Today (27 August), staff from the Art Gallery of NSW are planning to walk off the job in response to the axing of 51 jobs, which advocates say will “literally decimate” the gallery.

As recently reported, the Art Gallery of NSW is set to cut dozens of roles as part of a restructure, so that it can “stay within its budget, and operate sustainably”. First reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, the move intends to save $7.5 million annually, including through a reduction in headcount, with dozens of roles reportedly to be impacted.

In a statement to HR Leader at the time, a spokesperson for the Art Gallery of NSW said: “Like all cultural institutions, the Art Gallery of New South Wales must respond to the changing environment, stay within its budget, and operate sustainably.

“To do this, the Art Gallery needs to make ongoing savings and plan for the future. The Art Gallery has begun staff consultation on a proposed structure to ensure resources are aligned with government priorities.”

Now, staff are set to walk off the job at noon today, according to the Public Service Association.

The association’s assistant general secretary, Troy Wright, said that members have “had a gutful”.

“Cutting one in ten roles, 51 jobs, will literally decimate the Art Gallery of NSW., These are public-facing roles, there’s only one manager included in these cuts,” he said.

“The public will notice these cuts, if you enjoy the gallery then you need to know the amount of exhibitions and their quality is in the firing line.”

Arts Minister John Graham needs to know, Wright continued, that “we won’t cop this, the Powerhouse in Parramatta has a blank cheque meanwhile established arts institutions are being looted and vandalised”.

“We’ve seen new galleries and gardens added, like the Sydney Modern extension in 2022, and now we see how they’re paying for it, by painting our members out of the picture,” he said.

“People travel from all over Australia to visit exhibitions like The Archibald, and it’s time the government started treating this cultural institution as the tourism money spinner it is.

“It was only last year that this institution was cut to the bone and there’s no way it can absorb further cuts.”

Art Gallery of NSW has been approached for comment, but had not responded as of the time of publishing this story.