Creativity, community, and the next gen of Sydney artists.

BW: Tell us about Mosman Art Gallery and the role it plays in Sydney's cultural landscape.

Kelly: Mosman Art Gallery has been open since 1998 and in that time has become the cultural heart of Mosman. As one of Sydney’s suburban regional galleries, we may be smaller in scale than some larger institutions, but our purpose is equally strong.

Our collection is something we future-proof for locals and visitors, and through our exhibitions we tell stories from the region that other galleries can’t.

Our program draws people from across Sydney and spans a wide range of ideas, from supporting local artists, both emerging and established, to hosting the annual Mosman Art Prize and Youth Art Prize, which champion some of the best and most diverse artists from across Australia.

BW: What has given the Mosman Art Prize its enduring quality, and what does it represent for Australian art?

Kelly: When Margaret Olley was awarded the first Mosman Art Prize in 1947, she said it enabled her to continue living in Sydney and to be a painter. That’s something that still resonates with us today.

For nearly 80 years, the Prize has helped us build a collection and a legacy that reflects the evolution of Australian painting.

Importantly, it has supported generations of artists to have their work recognised, whether by their peers, local communities, curators, or the many visitors we welcome each year.

The prize itself has also enabled artists to continue refining their craft, just as it did for Margaret Olley all those years ago.

BW: The Mosman Youth Art Prize is a different proposition entirely, and is fast approaching. Can you tell us about it and what it sets out to do?

Kelly: The Mosman Youth Art Prize has a uniquely iconic legacy, having been founded in 1988 by local resident and one of Australia’s most recognised painters, Ken Done.

He often says that children are the best artists, and his continued involvement in the prize reflects that belief.

The Prize gives young artists, aged 12 to 21, the opportunity to have their work exhibited and recognised.

It celebrates their perspectives and voices, and offers insight into how they see the world and what matters to them.

Visitors are always struck by the level of talent. Our hope is that these young artists maintain their creativity as they move through life, just as past winners like Natasha Walsh, Alex Seton and Remy Faint have.

BW: BresicWhitney has supported the prizes for a number of years now. Will, what drew the group to this partnership?

Will: When we looked at what Mosman Art Gallery represents and the legacy of both prizes, the alignment felt very natural.

As a business, we’ve always been actively involved in Sydney’s arts scene, and that’s something we’re very intentional about continuing.

We understand the broader role art plays in a community. It’s one of the great connectors in life, and a way through which people find meaning and purpose.

BW: There’s something particular about a youth prize. What excites you about supporting emerging Sydney artists?

Will: Sydney is home to many of the world’s great artists, and many of them haven’t been discovered yet.

The Mosman Youth Art Prize recognises that and invests in artists at a critical moment, when they’re becoming who they might be.

For us to play even a small role in that is a privilege, and part of what drives our support of Mosman Art Gallery.

What does art make possible for a community that little else can?

Kelly: Art is a form of storytelling and allows for an exchange of ideas.

We aim to create opportunities for artists to share their perspectives, and for audiences to experience something new or see the world differently.

Through our programs, we also create space for connection, between people, ideas, and shared experiences.

Will: Art, culture and community are deeply connected. The strength of one shapes the quality of the others.

It influences how we experience and understand the world around us.

Having meaningful opportunities for self-expression is more important than ever, whether that’s through making art ourselves or engaging with it in our communities and homes.

The Mosman Youth Art Prize runs from Saturday 28 March to Sunday 3 May 2026.
Learn more at mosmanartgallery.org.au.