We are celebrating 100 years of public collecting at Manly Art Gallery & Museum (MAG&M), and we need your help to keep the spirit of generosity alive. 

MAG&M is the oldest metropolitan purpose-built regional gallery in NSW, officially opened in 1930. The collection began six years prior when a committee of 12, appointed by Manly Council, considered that a prize-winning artwork by James R Jackson was far too precious to pass out of Manly.

Describing the possible loss of the painting as a ‘catastrophe’, they raised funds by public subscription to purchase the work for the benefit of the community.

Since then, MAG&M has become a hub for creativity and culture with a massive collection of artworks and historical objects. 

There is one special artwork we would love to add to the collection, and we need your help!

The gallery is raising funds for a commissioned artwork by contemporary Australian artist Jude Rae. 

You can donate online, in person at the Gallery, or by calling 02 8495 5036. Donations of all sizes are valued, and those of $2 or more are fully tax-deductible. If you donate $1,000 or more, you can choose to be publicly acknowledged.

Born on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Jude is a two-time winner of the Portia Geach Memorial Award, three times Highly Commended finalist of the Archibald Prize, and the recipient of the prestigious AGNSW Bulgari Art Award. The commissioned painting will be on display from 30 Aug 2024.

Also in the Gallery, Collection 100: Search, the third and final exhibition in the three-part series celebrating 100 years of public art collecting, marks a major milestone as the Gallery’s collection now becomes accessible online.

One hundred images of rarely-seen works from our photography collection, depicting the story of swimwear, will be projected in the Gallery from 30 August to 13 October 2024. 

The photographs were selected from a collection of over 700 contemporary and historic photographs. They will be displayed alongside swimwear pieces from the museum objects collection. 

Thank you to MAG&M Society and all of our generous donors and supporters over the centenary. You have helped enrich the cultural life of the Northern Beaches.  

For more information about Collection 100 or to donate to the appeal visit www.magam.com.au