A major limited edition publication and new exhibition have been unveiled celebrating 45 years of Artbank, Australia’s national art collection and leasing program.
On Display: The story of Artbank, Australia’s most visible art collection is a significant publication that delves into the history of the dynamic program, its impact on the contemporary art landscape in Australia over 45 years, and the incredible artworks within the collection. As part of the anniversary celebrations, Artbank has also announced the creation of the Artbank Prize, offering a new opportunity for living Australian artists who are not already in the collection to be acquired by the program.
Established in 1980 as a federal artist support program, Artbank is a unique public art collection and leasing program that operates under the philosophy that art is for everyone. Conceived with the bold vision to nurture Australian creativity by acquiring works by living Australian artists while simultaneously bringing art into the public domain, the Artbank collection is a significant national asset, including over 11,000 works by more than 3,500 artists from across Australia, celebrating the diversity of creative expression across the country. With over half the collection on lease at any time, Artbank places contemporary Australian art in homes, workplaces and public institutions in an affordable and accessible way, promoting the value of Australian contemporary art to the broader public.
The publication features a rich compilation of artwork images, client displays, archival material, and personal reflections from artists, gallerists, and clients, alongside a detailed text tracing the Artbank story from 1980 to today.
To mark the launch of the publication, Artbank is presenting On Display — a free exhibition at its Melbourne premises, open until 10th October 2025. The show brings the pages of the book to life while paying physical homage to Artbank’s history, and features works by 26 leading and emerging Australian artists, including Sidney Nolan, Jeffrey Smart, Margaret Olley, Emily Kam Kngwarray, Patricia Piccinini, Howard Arkley, Emma Buswell and Jean Barth — all drawn from the Artbank collection.
A second exhibition, Art Text/Text Art, will run in the Artbank Sydney Window from 28th August to 24th October 2025, continuing the theme of telling Australian stories through text and image. Curated by Artbank’s founding Curator James Kenny and current Curator Oliver Watts, the exhibition features Artbank collection works by artists Ian W. Abdulla, Darcey Bella Arnold, Chayni Henry, Heather Koowootha, Michael Lindeman, Alasdair McLuckie and Tom Polo.
As part of the 45th anniversary celebrations, Artbank has also announced the establishment of the first Artbank Prize. All living artists — emerging or established, represented or independent — working in any medium collected by Artbank and suitable for public leasing are eligible to apply. One finalist will be selected from each state and territory, with the winning work to be acquired for a maximum purchase price of $20,000. An exhibition featuring the eight finalists will be held at Artbank’s premises alongside a public program that celebrates the artists and their works. The submission dates for the Artbank Prize will be announced soon.
Zoë Rodriguez, Artbank Director, said:
“On Display: The story of Artbank, Australia’s most visible art collection tells Artbank’s story from its origins through to today, highlighting its enduring cultural impact and role in embedding art into everyday Australian life. It reinforces the impact that Artbank has had on the Australian arts sector over the past 45 years and its enduring and far-reaching legacy.”
“We’re delighted to offer the Artbank Prize for the first time and create a new pathway for Australian artists to be included in the Artbank collection. It will celebrate the diversity of contemporary practices across the country and ensure that more artists have the opportunity for their work to be acquired, recognised and shared through our leasing program,”
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate a valued arts institution –
“There are more artists with careers because of Artbank. There is more art on display around the nation because of Artbank.”
On Display 8th August – 10th October 2025 Artbank Melbourne, 18–24 Down Street, Collingwood VIC 3066. Drawing from the identity and design of the publication, in conjunction with Artbank’s familiar visible storage model, the exhibition will present an iconoclastic snapshot of the program’s history. It tells a proud story of caring for Australia’s hardest working leasing collection and providing 45 years of much-needed artist support through timely acquisitions.
Art Text/Text Art 28th August – 24th October 2025 Artbank Sydney, 222 Young Street, Waterloo NSW 2017. Curated by Artbank’s inaugural Curator, James Kenney (1980–1996) and current Curator Oliver Watts, Art Text/Text Art continues the theme of telling Australian stories through text and image. Featuring a selection of artworks from the Artbank collection that incorporate text as storytelling, poetry and visual data, the exhibition illustrates the multiple possibilities of text in contemporary fine art practice, as used by Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists.
About
Artbank is a unique public art collection and leasing program that operates under a simple yet powerful philosophy: art is for everyone. Conceived with the bold vision to nurture Australian creativity by acquiring works by living Australian artists while simultaneously bringing art into the public domain, Artbank has evolved into a dynamic program with a national presence. artbank.gov.au
