Nine things you might not know about Manly Art Gallery & Museum

We’re celebrating Manly Art Gallery & Museum’s 90th birthday – hurray!

A lot has happened over nine decades- whether you’re a gallery regular or you’ve never visited before, we’re sure you’ll be intrigued by the gallery’s history and just how much it has packed in over the years.

It all started with an art competition

Back in the early 1920s the owner of the Manly Daily, Jo Trenerry organised an art competition. James R. Jackson’s Middle Harbour from Manly Heights was crowned the winner and awarded a prize of £50.

Jackson’s artwork was so loved by the local community that they successfully lobbied for its purchase by Manly Council.

The gallery was originally a bandstand

After acquiring their first artwork, more artworks were donated by artists and residents and a gallery space needed to be found.

The collection was originally held in the Council chambers but to make it more accessible to the public, regular exhibitions were held in Victoria Hall on The Corso and in the Manly Literary Institute.

In 1930, a more permanent solution was found; the West Esplanade bandstand was converted into a public art gallery. While no longer a bandstand, Manly Art Gallery & Museum still connects to its roots hosting a range of live music and performances throughout the year.

A collection of more than 6,800 works

When the gallery opened in 1930, the collection consisted of 200 exhibits, including 79 paintings.

Thanks to the ongoing support and generosity of many, including the Gallery Society, Manly Art Gallery & Museum today boasts a collection of more than 6,800 works and an enduring legacy of local art and culture.

It’s NSW’s oldest metropolitan regional gallery

Manly Art Gallery & Museum was the first metropolitan regional gallery in the state and now hosts tens of thousands of visitors each year. It has become a vital part of cultural life on the Northern Beaches.

The collection was robbed but eventually the items were returned  

In 1976, the gallery was robbed with six important paintings stolen from the collection, including The Flower Sellers by Tom Roberts and The Old Barn by Lloyd Rees.

Thankfully, all six of the paintings were eventually found and returned to the collection but it did take some time. Four of the paintings including The Old Barn were not returned until the 90s.

The exhibitions change every 6-8 weeks

The gallery has a rotating door of incredible exhibitions so even if you’ve popped in before, there is always something new to see.

Whether it’s painting, drawing, photography, illustration, multimedia, ceramics or printmaking, you’ll find inspiration from emerging and established local, Indigenous and nationally profiled artists.

The gallery puts our young local artists in the spotlight

Each year the gallery curates Express Yourself, an exhibitions of artworks by HSC Visual Arts students from the 20 high schools across the Northern Beaches.

Two awards are granted annually to students featured in the exhibition: Manly Art Gallery & Museum Society Youth Art Award and the Theo Batten Youth Art Award which is awarded to a student continuing tertiary study in the arts.

It’s a place where a love of art is inspired

The gallery doesn’t hold only exhibitions, its creative learning program and school excursions inspire a love for the arts for young and old.

During COVID-19, the gallery shifted again to cater for our local community with school holiday workshops being accessed online.

The gallery is supported by a passionate society

The MAG&M Society is made up of over 400 members and welcomes all art enthusiasts. Membership is a great way to connect with the vibrant local arts community and play a vital social and fundraising role for the gallery.

Now is the perfect time to visit Manly Art Gallery & Museum with a specially curated exhibition Treasures from the Vault celebrating its 90 year milestone. See hidden gems from its collection and artwork from some of Australia’s great artists. Book your free time ticket here.