Power Institute

The Power Institute was established by a bequest from Dr John Joseph Wardell Power to, in his words:

"make available to the people of Australia the latest ideas and theories in plastic arts by means of lectures and teaching and by the purchase of the most recent contemporary art of the world ... so as to bring the people of Australia in more direct touch with the latest art developments in other countries."

Today the bequest is managed by the Power Institute Foundation which assists the University of Sydney, through the Power Institute, to realise the aims of its founder. The Foundation achieves this by

  • supporting research and scholarship in the Department of Art History & Film Studies;
  • supporting the development of the Schaeffer Fine Arts Library, Visual Resources Library, Power Publications and the Public Education program;
  • promoting the Institute in the wider community and encouraging good international relations for Australia in the Fine Arts; and
  • seeking financial and other support for the Institute's activities.

Donations to the Foundation play a vital role in realising these aims, and are tax deductible.

Latest News

  • Vale Bernard Smith

    In honour of Bernard Smith, art historian, academic and former Director of the Power Institute from 1967-1977, who passed away late last year, the Power Institute presents the following tribute from Terry Smith and Jaynie Anderson respectively. 

  • John Clark’s Asian Modernities wins 2011 AAANZ Book Prize

    Asian Modernities, written by Professor John Clark, and published by Power Publications in 2010, has been awarded the Art Association of Australia and New Zealand’s 2011 Best Book Prize.

  • Getty Foundation funds South-East Asian art research

    The histories of modern art in South-East Asia will be supported by a new partnership with the Getty Foundation in an exciting new initiative. 

  • New publication series: Power Polemics

    The Power Institute is delighted to announce major support for a new series of books to be produced by Power Publications over the next five years. 

  • International recognition for Department

    A 2012 Clark fellowship has been awarded to Professor Roger Benjamin of the Department of Art History and Film Studies. 

  • New Foundation Council members

    Power Institute Foundation President, Lynn Fern, and the Director of the Power Institute Foundation, are delighted to announce three new board members for the Foundation Council. 

     

  • In Memoriam, Frank MacDonald

    The Power Institute is sad to pass on the news of the death of influential arts figure Frank MacDonald.

  • Changing of the guard at Schaeffer Library

    After 25 years of valuable service, the Power Institute bids farewell to Schaeffer librarians Peter Wright and John Spencer. 

  • Roger Benjamin and Anita Callaway in Tsukuba

    Two Department members, Anita Callaway and Roger Benjamin, recently took part in a workshop in Tokyo as part of the Department’s exchange program with Tsukuba University. 

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