Exhibiting in the Fountain Court Foyer
The Parliament of New South Wales is a prominent public venue in the central business district of Sydney. Its high profile exhibition space, referred to as the Fountain Court, joins the heritage facade of the building to the modern offices behind. The exhibition space is the public vestibule for the Parliament and the principal way for members to access the parliamentary chambers on sitting days. The exhibition space is available for non-political exhibitions of a high curatorial and artistic standard.
The Fountain Court
The northern and north-eastern walls and the southern and south-eastern walls of the Fountain Court are available for exhibitions. The doors to the dining room divide the eastern wall. Depending on the size of the exhibition and other bookings, these areas can be used as a whole (both north and south) for one exhibition, or in two parts - the south or the north for two different exhibitions. There is a total of 52 panels, each 3.3 m high and 90 cm wide. There are 110 hanging wires available. As the Fountain Court is a public thoroughfare and members of Parliament access the parliamentary chambers through this area on sitting days, the opportunities to display sculpture and other
objects d’Art are strictly limited.
The western wall is dedicated to Aboriginal artworks, demonstrating the Parliament’s commitment to the reconciliation process. There is a total of 14 panels on the Reconciliation Wall.
Who can use the Fountain Court for exhibitions?
Applicants are restricted to the following types of organisations:
- NSW Government departments or public authorities
- NSW local government bodies
- Australian Government departments or public authorities
- Charitable or not-for-profit organisations
- Consulates (except solo artists)
- Exhibitions by groups of NSW artists in which each artist is equally represented in the exhibition. Exhibitions by solo artists will not be accepted.
An exhibition must have some connection to:
- The Parliament of New South Wales
- The NSW Government
- Particular communities within the State
- The general community of NSW.
The Parliament encourages NSW regional art, NSW indigenous artists, and art by ethnic communities within NSW.
Policy stipulations
An exhibition cannot appear to be attempting to contribute to a current political debate. Material should be in keeping with the profile of the parliamentary setting, be appropriate for general viewing, and not be overwhelmingly provocative. An exhibition cannot seek funding.
How to book the Fountain Court
A member of Parliament, such as your local member, or a member with an interest in the organisation, must support the exhibition and act as the parliamentary host.
Once a member has agreed to support the exhibition, the exhibition coordinator should write to both the Presiding Officers (The Hon. Don Harwin MLC, President of the Legislative Council and the Hon. Shelley Hancock MP, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly) requesting use of the Fountain Court.
The letter must be accompanied by a portfolio to support the application. This 'portfolio' could include a photographic example of the exhibit items, catalogues, professional referees, artists' impressions of the exhibit, pictures of any stands/plinths, etc that will be used in the exhibition. The portfolio must be submitted prior to final approval by the Artworks Committee, so that the quality and therefore suitability of the exhibition can be determined.
Letters should address the following points:
- Who is the Parliamentary Host
- Name of the body or institution and any relevant information about the organisation
- Name of the event/exhibition
- Proposed dates of the exhibition
- Indicate the main coordinator and contact for the exhibition
- Provide a detailed explanation of the exhibition's purpose
- Specify whether the exhibition is part of another function held at the Parliament eg. a dinner
- How the exhibition meets the policy stipulations outlined above
- How much space the exhibition will require (see below for details)
- Whether the exhibition will hang directly on the walls or require the Parliament's hanging boards (see below for details)
- Amount and type of exhibition material
- Permission to film/photograph the exhibition and associated events.
Once approved, exhibitors must sign an agreement. Work, advertising, etc may not commence until the application has been approved and an Agreement signed by both the exhibitor and the Presiding Officers or their representatives.
For further information please contact: Mr Steven Reynolds on (02) 9230 2620.
Further information is also available in the following documents: