WHAT: Art Gallery of NSW workers walk off the job & protest
WHEN: 12.30pm, 16th September
WHERE: NSW Parliament house (front)
Public Service Association Demands an End to Cuts at the Art Gallery of NSW: “Stop the Art Attack!”
The Public Service Association (PSA), the union representing workers at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, has today called on the NSW Government and Art Gallery management to halt a damaging restructure that would see 51 jobs axed and $7.5 million cut from the institution's budget.
PSA Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright says the planned cuts need to be halted immediately.
"This is not reform — it’s a calculated attack on the people who bring this Gallery to life," Mr Wright said.
“Cutting 51 roles from the core workforce while shielding executives and consultants is not change, it’s carnage."
The proposed cuts, outlined in the so-called Change Management Plan distributed in mid-August, come as the Art Gallery enjoys record-breaking success.
With over 2.3 million visitors in the past year — a staggering 84% increase from pre-COVID levels — AGNSW is the 26th most visited gallery in the world.
"Why is one of Australia’s most successful cultural institutions being punished for its success?" Mr Wright asked.
"The staff facing the axe are not sitting behind closed doors — they are curators, educators, designers, and public-facing professionals who make the AGNSW world-class."
"Let’s be real, the cuts aren’t falling evenly," said Mr Wright.
The union has also rejected comparisons to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), a model repeatedly referenced by Treasury and Gallery management.
"If the plan is to remake AGNSW in the image of the NGV, let me remind you: the NGV is a cautionary tale, not a benchmark," said Mr Wright.
Reports of toxic workplace culture, burnout, and inappropriate behaviour should not be ignored — they should be avoided at all costs," Mr Wright stated.
The PSA further highlighted concerns around unpaid labour, noting the surge in volunteer hours — up from 236 volunteers last year to 297 this year — raising fears that paid, unionised jobs will be replaced with unpaid or contract roles.
“This creeping reliance on volunteerism is a red flag. It's not about community engagement — it’s about cost-cutting by stealth," Mr Wright warned.
The union is urging the public, gallery-goers, and cultural advocates across the state to speak out in defence of the Gallery's workforce and to demand a halt to the restructure.
“We’re not against change. We’re against cuts that gut the Gallery while protecting privilege," Mr Wright said.
“This institution doesn’t just hang art — it hangs onto the dedication, skill, and passion of its people. And we intend to protect them,” Wright concluded.
Key Demands from the PSA:
-
Stop the Art Attack
-
Save the $7.5 million earmarked for cuts
-
Protect the 51 jobs on the line
-
Reject the NGV comparison model
-
End the overreliance on unpaid labour
The PSA stands ready to negotiate real, sustainable change that strengthens the Art Gallery of NSW — not weakens it.
Media Contact: Tim Brunero 0405 285 547