Located in the heart of the University of Sydney, the Chau Chak Wing Museum was designed to share the University of Sydney’s vast collections with the broader community.
The collections began with the Nicholson Collection of antiquities in 1860 and continued to grow to include the Macleay Collections of natural history, ethnography, science and historic photography, and the University Art Collection. The Chau Chak Wing Museum was designed by Johnson Pilton Walker to unite these diverse collections in one multidisciplinary institution.
While the collections themselves aren’t new, being able to see them is. The Chau Chak Wing Museum triples the exhibition space previously available. 70 per cent of the items on display have not been seen publicly for over 20 years.
From ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt, to the art of First Nations people, and the works of leading contemporary artists, the Chau Chak Wing Museum is open to all as a centre of cultural and artistic excellence.
Many of the Museum’s objects pose intriguing questions. To find answers, the Museum is equipped with the latest facilities allowing researchers to examine, understand and share new discoveries.
The Museum’s education programs are designed to have an impact that lasts a lifetime. The museum will become a classroom for the University’s own students, offering object-based learning experiences across all disciplines. Visiting primary and secondary students will have the opportunity to hold ancient treasures in their hands in dedicated learning spaces.
The Museum shop features Chau Chak Wing Museum merchandise, plus books, toys and more inspired by our collections.
Our café, Sounds Sydney, is a new casual eatery by The Little Marionette, one of Australia's leading coffee roasters. Their offering includes brunch, lunch and a broad selection of coffee as well as a carefully curated wine list.
The long-held dream of bringing the University’s three major collections together, pieced together over more than 150 years, was realised thanks to the foresight and generosity of Dr Chau Chak Wing, the Chinese-Australian businessman and philanthropist, and our other donors: The Ian Potter Foundation, Nelson Meers Foundation and Penelope Seidler AM. Read more about our benefactors.
Find out more about our collections:
Featured image (top of the page): The entrance to the Chau Chak Wing Museum.
