Trial extended to 9 April 2009 An exciting and significant development to the way K-12 education groups enter and depart the Art Gallery of NSW. Background
In 2006-07 over 100,000 K-tertiary students and teachers visited the Gallery to participate in high quality education programs. This outstanding result is second to none in Australia and on par with the major art museums of the world. However, because of this success, the time has come to assess the Gallery's education facilities. The current Gallery entrance and cloaking of bags is no longer adequate. To address this issue, the Gallery will trial a new dedicated Education Entrance. Benefits
The Education Entrance will bring K-12 groups into the Gallery on the rear (eastern) side of the building via the Yiribana Gallery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. The Education Entrance will provide: - an exclusive and dedicated entrance for K-12 groups only
- a safe and more accessible pathway, free of stairs, for all students
- an enclosed space for groups to line up, settle and prepare to enter the Gallery
- reduced disruption for students, with a more direct route to the cloaking of bags and belongings
- a larger, more secure, contained space for cloaking of bags and belongings
- a more organised and efficient entry point, reducing delays to education programs
- dedicated Gallery education staff to assist with directions, program and exhibition information and the cloaking of bags and belongings
- a limited outdoor undercover area with seating, for sun and wet weather
- Indigenous Australian art as the first art encountered by any student entering the Gallery
- a visiting teacher ID sticker to facilitate the safety, security and duty of care for all schools visiting the Gallery
- an information sheet with a map and procedures for using the Education Entrance, mailed with each excursion booking confirmation and available here as a PDF.
Note: The Gallery's risk assessment documents have been updated to reflect these new arrangements. Feedback requested
Your feedback will be important to make the Education Entrance a success for all. If this trial works well we foresee extending it as a permanent fixture. We look forward to seeing your school at the Gallery in 2008. Yours sincerely
Tristan Sharp
Senior Coordinator of Education Programs
Public Programs Department | 
