Firstdraft Marks 40 Years With Archive Exhibition in Woolloomooloo
In 2026, Firstdraft in Sydney, the longest-standing venue for emerging artists, will mark its 40th anniversary with an exhibition titled 'Firstdraft will Continue to Operate'. This event will take place from 6 to 29 November at the gallery located in Woolloomooloo and will present an incomplete overview of its 40-year history, inviting anecdotes from former exhibitors and volunteers. Established in 1986 by Roger Crawford, Tess Horwitz, Narelle Jubelin, and Paul Saint, Firstdraft evolved from an artist-run project into a non-profit gallery, relocating several times. It became a member of Contemporary Arts Organisations Australia in 2018 and has featured approximately 2000 artists and hosted 1000 exhibitions. A celebration is planned for 14 November, with RSVPs recommended.
Key facts
- Firstdraft was founded in 1986 by Roger Crawford, Tess Horwitz, Narelle Jubelin and Paul Saint
- It opened at 27 Abercrombie St in Chippendale as a two-year project supported by the Australia Council
- The gallery moved to Annandale in 1989 and to Surry Hills in 1995, remaining there nearly 20 years
- In 2010 it began administering a studio program at a former maintenance depot in Woolloomooloo with a City of Sydney accommodation grant
- Firstdraft joined Contemporary Arts Organisations Australia, a network of 15 organisations, in 2018
- It has presented around 2000 artists and 1000 exhibitions across four venues, with over 150 board members
- 'Firstdraft will Continue to Operate' runs 6 to 29 November at Firstdraft in Woolloomooloo, Sydney
- A 40th anniversary party is scheduled for 14 November at the Woolloomooloo gallery
Entities
Artists
- Narelle Jubelin
- Paul Saint
- Roger Crawford
- Tess Horwitz
- Hayley Millar Baker
- Natalya Hughes
- Kuba Dorabialski
- Miriam Kelly
- Luke Letourneau
- Amelia Wallin
- Caity Reynolds
- Joy Saunders
- Tess de Quincy
- Penny Thwaite
- Ben Terakes
- Kenzee Patterson
- Kevin Platt
- Emma White
- Sean Rafferty
- Kate Mitchell
- Will French
- Zane Saunders
- Ai Weiwei
- Emma-Kate Wilson
- Leah J. Williams
- Diana Carroll
Institutions
- Firstdraft
- Australia Council
- City of Sydney
- Contemporary Arts Organisations Australia
- Adelaide Film Festival
- ArtsHub
- ScreenHub
- PUNQ
- National Film and Sound Archive
- Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Locations
- Sydney
- Australia
- Chippendale
- Annandale
- Surry Hills
- Woolloomooloo
- Townsville
- Tweed Valley
- Brisbane