News • Announcement
Artspace and University of Sydney Launch New Archive Placement Initiative
Artspace is pleased to announce its tertiary placement partnership with the University of Sydney through a new archive-focused curatorial initiative. Creating professional development opportunities for emerging arts practitioners, the placement enables support and mentorship for two students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences through a curatorial project within the Franco-Belgiorno Nettis Archive.
Developed in collaboration with the Artspace team, the project will include a new capsule in the Franco-Belgiorno Nettis Archive, displaying archival material from the landmark 1984 exhibition, Koori Art ’84. The inaugural students selected for the 2026 placement are Erin Frances and Kate Francis, both enrolled in the Master of Art Curating program at the University of Sydney.
This partnership reflects Artspace’s deep commitment to development in the sector, investing resources and expertise in building the next generation of arts practitioners. Through guided mentorship and consultation, students undertaking placement receive institutional experience with public-facing exhibition outcomes, creating the foundations for career longevity. For both Artspace and the University of Sydney, this partnership fosters knowledge-sharing and reflects an investment in the sustainability of Sydney’s arts ecology.
The Koori Art ’84 archive capsule will reflect on the legacy of the original exhibition, widely considered a pivotal moment in the recognition of a new generation of First Nations artists working in urban contexts. Displaying material unseen publicly since 1984, the capsule will explore wider cultural and historical contexts, tracing the exhibition’s role in reshaping narratives around identity, representation, and self-determination. The project will be developed in consultation with the First Nations artists and curators involved with and influenced by the exhibition.
Victor Wang, Executive Director at Artspace said:
‘This renewed partnership with the University of Sydney marks an exciting new initiative for Artspace, bringing emerging curators into the life of our archive. As one of the few contemporary art organisations in Australia with an accessible and actively displayed archive, we see it as a space for learning, research and new curatorial perspectives. Beginning with Koori Art ’84, participants will work alongside our team to research, interpret and curate material for public display. Investing in the next generation of curators and arts practitioners is central to Artspace’s commitment to the sector, while opening our archive creates new ways to reflect on our institutional history and the broader histories of contemporary art in this country.’
Associate Professor Donna West Brett, Chair of Art History at the University of Sydney said:
‘Art History at the University of Sydney is excited to renew our long-standing partnership with Artspace's placement program, giving Art Curating and Museum Studies students the chance to expand their career horizons through real curatorial experience. Partnerships such as this are invaluable in bridging academic study and professional practice, and we are grateful to Artspace for its generosity in offering students this unique, hands-on opportunity.’
Artspace is interested in hearing from artists, curators and visitors who engaged with Koori Art ’84. Please contact archive@artspace.org.au to share your story.