Goal 11:
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Public Access to Museums
In 2024, the University provided public access to museums, exhibition spaces, works of art, and cultural artefacts.
- Free Public Access
- Our University Gallery, Watt Space Gallery, Senta Taft‑Hendry Museum, and Cultural Collections are open to the public free of charge.
- These venues host exhibitions, cultural events, and displays of works of art and historical artefacts.
- Online Access & Digitised Collections
- Beyond physical visits, we maintain a digitised database of a substantial portion of our art, artefacts, and collections.
- These digital collections are freely available online for the community to explore remotely.
The University Galleries are committed to creating collaborative opportunities for our students, staff and the public to connect with art and artists. We aim to foster cultural understanding and appreciation through the visual environment of the University, as well as encourage the intersection between art, research and collaboration.
Looking forward and championing the transformative impacts of arts and culture, we are pleased to announce the publication of the University's inaugural Arts and Cultural Strategy 2025–2030. A copy of the Strategy can be downloaded below.
Download The University of Newcastle Arts and Culture Strategy 2025–2030
We are responsible for the development and care of the University’s Art Collection as well as the curation of a varied and dynamic annual exhibition and public program. Partnering with local and regional cultural and community organisations is an active commitment to enrich our programs and offerings to our student, staff and community.
The University Galleries firmly believe that First Nations voices should be embedded within our program and practices, and work closely with the Wollotuka Institute, First Nations curators, exhibitors, and communities to do this. We continue to develop our substantial holding of First Nations work in the Art Collection and to provide education and guidance around the importance of the Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Protocol.
The University Galleries are anchored across three physical exhibition spaces – Watt Space Gallery in the NUspace precinct as well as both the University Gallery and the Senta Taft Hendry Museum located at the Callaghan campus.
Watt Space Gallery
A gallery at the heart of Newcastle with a community and student-led ethos that features emerging and established cross disciplinary artists and curators
University Gallery
A dynamic cultural and educational hub presenting ideas-driven contemporary exhibitions across a range of artistic practices.
Senta Taft Hendry Museum
The Senta Taft Hendry Museum is a dedicated knowledge keeping place, located underneath the University Gallery, which houses a culturally significant and diverse collection of items from Oceania.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.