Art Gallery of NSW faces significant staff cuts and restructuring

The Public Service Association of NSW union officials and PSA Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW) delegates attended a briefing on 11th August delivered by Art Gallery of NSW Director, Maud Page (pictured above) for an update on the budget position and a proposed restructure to reflect a reduction of funding from the NSW Government.

The Art Gallery of NSW is looking to cut numerous roles in a restructure aimed at saving the institution $7.5 million annually.

Page noted the cuts proposed were significant but unavoidable and advised “after five months at the helm, it’s become apparent that a reduction in staff roles is necessary to secure a sustainable future for the institution we all care deeply about.”

The Public Service Association (PSA) notes that in 2025, there are 382 current roles with 310 ongoing employees at the AGNSW. The draft change management plan anticipates that there will be a reduction of 51 ongoing non-Public Service Senior Executive (PSSE) roles. Also, according to AGNSW a significant number of roles will be impacted by this proposal due to a change in terms of their purpose, function or accountabilities.

The PSA is alarmed with the number of proposed job cuts within this proposal and across the wider public sector including the current other proposal in the Cultural Institutions which is a proposal to reduce Create NSW staffing by over 25%.

At the briefing Page added “it’s certainly not how I had hoped to begin my directorship, but I’m comforted that we are doing this from a position of strength with the highest visitation in our history.

“The executive team and board of trustees explored every possible avenue to reduce operating expenses. Despite these extensive efforts, changes to our staffing structure are unavoidable to ensure the long-term future of the institution can serve our community for years to come.”

The Art Gallery of NSW’s highly anticipated $344 million Sydney Modern Project, also known as Naala Badu, opened in December 2022 with its opening week having attracted more than 86,000 visits.

Maud replaced previous AGNSW Director Michael Brand who in 2023 told a NSW Parliamentary estimates hearing that he was in discussions with NSW Arts Minister John Graham and senior officials over a much-needed funding boost.

In response to questions, Brand told the hearing that cuts to staff and general entry fees were “pure speculation.”.

The Art Gallery of NSW was facing a major shortfall in funding in 2023 with the NSW Government apparently unwilling to provide additional money for its operations, despite the near doubling in size of its architectural footprint and exhibition space with the opening of the Sydney Modern.

Funding was also sought in 2023 to cover energy costs despite advice at the time of opening of the new wing that it was the first public art museum in Australia to achieve a 6-star Green Star design rating and that it would operate on 100% renewable energy.

A Treasury audit in 2024 suggested the gallery had been operating at much higher staffing levels than comparable institutions.

Arts Minister John Graham then handed the gallery a one-off $12.1 million top-up payment to address a looming $16 million black hole.

Next Steps
PSA AGNSW delegates will be meeting on Wednesday 13th August 2025 to guide a PSA alternative submission to ameliorate the proposed impact on PSA members jobs. A PSA members meeting will be convened over the next seven days to consider members’ concerns and feedback.

Formal consultation with staff will take place over three-weeks and conclude on 2nd September 2025.

Image top. Maud Page, AGNSW Director; Image Below: Sydney Modern outdoor art space.