Mosman Art Gallery is a leading cultural institution in Sydney that aims to be a place of connection with both the visual and performing arts. Visitors’ are offered valuable experiences which enrich and inspire, through exhibitions, art collection and programs. Established in 1998, the Gallery enjoys an enviable reputation for excellence in its program of visual art exhibitions, associated events and education activities.
In 2025 Mosman Art Gallery and The Balnaves Foundation launched The Neil Balnaves Fellowship in honour of our Founder, the late Neil Balnaves AO, and his admiration and commitment to Mosman as a long-term resident of the area. The Fellowship offers a unique and critical opportunity for creative practitioners to work closely alongside Mosman Art Gallery. Designed to deepen understanding of Mosman’s cultural legacy and contemporary discourse in the visual arts, the Fellowship supports works that are ambitious, thoughtful and resonate with locals.
Offered in 2025 and again in 2027, the Fellowship is a major initiative supporting the development of a significant piece of research or creative endeavour over a one-year period. The winning project must engage with Mosman’s artistic heritage and/or The Balnaves Gift to be selected and will go on to be included in the Mosman Art Gallery program.
In 2010 Neil alongside his wife Diane, donated a selection of art from their personal collection to the Mosman Art Gallery and municipality. The Balnaves Gift consists of 16 artworks all significant to Mosman, primarily from the early twentieth century. The artworks all show different historical views of Mosman; it’s bay and the surrounds. Pieces included key works by Arthur Streeton, Conrad Martens, Will Ashton, Henry Fullwood, Elioth Gruner, George Halstead, James Ranalph Jackson, Matthew Charles Meere, Adelaide Elizabeth Perry, Sydney Long, Ethel Carrick Fox and Margaret Preston. The Balnaves Gift is housed in the Neil Balnaves Gallery at the Mosman Art Gallery.
“As a long-term resident who greatly admired the area, Neil’s personal art collection showcased the natural beauty of Mosman. These works were later donated to the Gallery for the public to enjoy and this Fellowship builds on that gift by connecting it to Mosman’s heritage. It’s a tribute to my father’s passion for visual arts and his contributions to make art accessible to all.” – Hamish Balnaves, CEO of the Balnaves Foundation
Art Mosman; Balnaves Education is designed to build greater connection between the general public, particularly youth audiences, and The Balnaves Gift. The culmination of this project is a specific set of school-based resources and the creation of the Mosman Art Trail. Developed by Artist Educator Cameron Stead, the school-based resources compliment the NSW Curriculum and support students and teachers to discover more about the artists, themes and history of the artworks. Opened in April 2024, the Art Trail is a 10km track that guides the walker from Mosman Bay to Pearl Bay stopping at twelve key sites. Each site features illustrated signage allowing the artworks from the Balnaves Gift to be appreciated in the locations that inspired the artists and include QR codes linking to an audio guide. A map of the Art Trail can be found here. Artist Camille Serisier has designed a child-friendly Art Trail map for children to participate along the walk; you can pick up the Kids Art Trail map at the Gallery or view it here.