The role of the University of Canberra Art Collection is to encourage a general awareness and understanding of the visual arts among the University community and to engage with the broader ACT community through display and exhibition.

The decision to establish a fund for the purchase of works of art was taken by the Council of the Canberra College of Advanced Education at their meeting on 29 June 1969. The initial role of the art collection was to provide works for hanging in public rooms and areas, with some works hung in conference and entertainment spaces, and a number of staff provided with smaller or less valuable works to decorate their offices. From the outset the College sought to focus the collection by acquiring the work of Australian artists across a variety of styles and techniques.

Peter Haynes has been the University’s art curator since August 2011. 

Peter comes to the University from the ACT Museums and Galleries where he recently held the position as Director. Peter was formerly Director of the Parliament House Art Collection and of the Nolan Gallery. He has held various positions including teaching art history at tertiary institutions in Sydney and is also a distinguished curator and visual arts writer.

Peter will be available to the University community on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The art collection of the University of Canberra is made up of over 600 objects across the media of painting, photography, textiles, sculpture, prints and drawing and provides insight into the collection focuses and fashions of the past forty years. From modest decorative items to monumental sculptures and large scale paintings, the art collection is truly one of the University’s treasures, one of which we are justifiably proud.

Cultural Gifts Program

The University of Canberra accepts donations under the Cultural Gifts Program. Information about the terms of this program can be found on the website of the Office for the Arts, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.