Firstdraft

Woolloomooloo's Experimental Art Hub Since 1986

Firstdraft opened in 1986 as an artist-run space and has developed into a progressive non-profit organisation for contemporary art. Located at 13-17 Riley Street in Woolloomooloo, NSW 2011, it focuses on experimentation, risk-taking and inclusion in everything it produces. The gallery operates on Gadigal land of the Eora nation. Over nearly forty years, Firstdraft has backed creative work that pushes boundaries and amplifies voices from a wide range of artists. Artists and arts workers sit at the table when decisions get made, which means creative practitioners actually shape the direction the gallery takes.

These days Firstdraft does much more than hang work on walls. It's become a space where ideas can develop and take shape. The organisation belongs to Contemporary Art Organisations Australia (CAOA), a network of fifteen independent, non-collecting contemporary visual arts outfits around the country, and co-runs All Conference, a collaborative network of fifteen artist-led experimental and cross-disciplinary arts bodies. The NSW Government through Create NSW, the Australian Government through Creative Australia, and the City of Sydney's Creative Spaces Program all provide support for Firstdraft's work backing the next generation of Australian contemporary artists.

Diverse Contemporary Practices: From Abstract to Wildlife

Firstdraft programs a pretty wide spread of contemporary art. You'll find abstract and minimalist work, figurative pieces, photography, wildlife, animal subjects. The gallery operates on the idea that experimental art takes all kinds of forms and connects with people in different ways. Rather than locking into one style, Firstdraft gives space to artists working across different mediums and with different ideas, all grounded in original thinking and genuine creative expression.

The recent shows tell you what that looks like in practice. Edward Barns painted wildlife from his place on the Mid North Coast and paired it with immersive soundscape, while other current exhibitions look at digital isolation, hand made images as a counter to screen culture, and what labour means in artistic practice. By showing work that engages with what's actually happening now, loneliness, connection, memory, sustainability, Firstdraft operates as a space where art speaks to how people live and what matters culturally, not just how things look on the wall.

A Mission Rooted in Care, Curiosity and Creative Risk

Firstdraft's approach rests on curiosity, collaboration, openness and empathy. These aren't just words on a wall either. The gallery operates on the idea that contemporary artists do their best work when they feel supported to take risks, experiment, and test their ideas through conversations with audiences and other artists. That philosophy shapes everything from the exhibitions themselves to their writers program and public events. The gallery also invites artists, curators and writers to pitch ideas for the annual program callout, turning the space into a working environment where people can actually develop their practice.

The gallery deliberately builds an inclusive environment that welcomes diverse communities and perspectives. It's run according to principles of care and ethical governance because supporting emerging contemporary artists goes well beyond hanging work on walls. It means creating a genuine sense of belonging, amplifying voices that often get overlooked, and building the conditions where bold ideas and new artists can genuinely flourish. That commitment to access and inclusion is what sets Firstdraft apart in Sydney's contemporary art scene.

Experimentation and Conversation: What to Expect When You Visit

Firstdraft sits in Woolloomooloo and shows work by some of Australia's best emerging and experimental contemporary artists. The gallery's open Wednesdays 11am to 8pm, Thursdays and Saturdays 11am to 5pm, so you'll have decent chances to check out exhibitions and catch events. What you'll see varies: abstract pieces, figurative paintings, photos, minimalist installations, mixed media. It's the kind of place that makes you think differently and lets artists try out new ideas about what contemporary art actually is.

There's more than just looking at artwork. Firstdraft runs a writers program that offers serious critical thinking about what's on, hosts public programs where artists and visitors talk properly, and keeps an archive going back four decades. If you follow contemporary art or you're curious about what young Australian artists are making now, it's worth the trip into inner Sydney. Ring (02) 8970 2999 or email info@firstdraft.org.au for details, or follow @firstdraft_ on social media to stay in the loop about new shows.