Permanent Collection
The Art Gallery of Ballarat houses major collections covering the history of Australian art from the early colonial period to the present day, including has one of the most comprehensive collections of Australian paintings in the nation. Virtually every movement or trend that has come to the fore since the colonial era is represented.
The collection is presented in a series of rooms ranging in style from the opulence of the 1880s through to the most recent extension, with its clean lines and subtle use of natural light. The display of the collection is dynamic and always changing, as works go out or return from loan or conservation. The Gallery is also ready to explore ways of finding relevance to the connection for contemporary audiences.
The strength of the Gallery collection has led to a focus on major exhibitions which build on, explore or provide a context for works in the Gallery.
International Collection
When the Gallery started actively collecting works of art in the late 1880s, its early acquisitions were paintings by British and European artists. This holding has been added to over time with occasional gifts, bequests and purchases, but the Gallery’s acquisitions policy is now to collect work by Australian artists or which have a strong Australian connection.
Works on Paper
The Art Gallery of Ballarat has a very fine holding of works on paper, with a particular strength in the area of political cartoons. It has a holding of rare books, which started with the benefactions of the Hon. Richard Crouch, whose donations include medieval manuscripts and early printed books, and Lady Currie of Ercildoune, who gave the Gallery an extensive library of volumes which illustrate the European exploration and settlement of the South Pacific.
GALLERIES IN VICTORIA
Art Gallery of Ballarat
The Art Gallery of Ballarat offers a range of experiences, from exploring the history of Australian art in its stunning permanent collection to seeing some exciting new art in temporary exhibitions. There's always something new to see, to do and to experience.
We have an exciting range of events - come to a concert in our beautiful gallery spaces, or catch a lunchtime talk and learn more about the amazing world of art or get busy making art with one of our creative workshops.
Permanent Collection
Online Collection
The Gallery collection is accessible for research with more than 10,000 works included in the searchable catalogue. The online search does not currently include images.
The Gallery website also has also a small selection of some images available online.
The collection search and images are available at artgalleryofballarat.com.au/exhibitions-and-events/collection
Café & Gallery Shop
Kittelty’s at the Gallery
Kittelty’s is a warm and comfortable café offering quality coffee, quality lunches and quality food which is hand-made daily, made with ingredients sourced predominantly from our region. Decked out in charming vintage bric-a-brac, it is a lovely spot for some quiet time with the morning papers or a good book. You will find hearty fare full of love: think wholesome lunches, lots of local produce, granny-style cakes and proper pots of tea.
Owner Sara Kittelty works closely with local, artisan food producers who are behind much of what she sells at the café. From local coffee roasters, urban bee keepers and meat curers to heritage apple growers and jam producers, there is just so much energy and passion going into these first-class ingredients which they use and also sell instore.
Sara and her crew love to make cakes which taste wonderful. Their recipes are drawn from Sara’s extensive library of cookbooks and the team’s collective genius. Cakes are often made during one of her midnight baking sessions or after a visit to her kitchen garden and orchard to source in-season fruit, super-fresh herbs and edible flowers. They also love to make vegan and GF cakes which taste delicious – she holds to the philosophy that everyone should be able to eat CAKE!
Kittelty’s is situated at the front of the Gallery in Lydiard Street and is open for brunch, lunch and afternoon tea. The menu changes regularly, so check the daily menu in the cafe.
Open from 7 am on weekdays and from 10 am on weekends.
Gallery Shop
Spend time in the Gallery Shop for that unique and unusual gift or memento of your visit. The Shop stocks a variety of cards and beautiful objects made by local and regional artists. For special gifts you will find hand-crafted jewellery, ceramics, bags and customised merchandise based on the works in the Gallery collection and temporary exhibitions. Browse through the shop while your children try out the brilliant range of children's art supplies in the Kids Corner.
There is an online shop with fast delivery. Gallery Association Members receive a 20% discount on purchases made in the Shop, so join up on the spot and save. Free gift wrapping also available. The Gallery Shop is open seven days a week.
Shop online here.
Gallery Publications
At the Gallery Shop you can buy catalogues from our current exhibitions as well as a tremendous range of catalogues from past exhibitions, including catalogues published by the Gallery and only available at our shop.
Getting to the Gallery
Ballarat is situated just over an hour's drive on the Western Freeway from Melbourne.Visitors arriving by air into Melbourne can continue on to Ballarat by taking the Ballarat Airport Shuttle Bus, which runs a number of daily services. Bookings are recommended.
V/Line runs trains daily to Ballarat from Southern Cross Station (formerly Spencer Street Station), Melbourne. Travel time is around one and half hours' but with the construction of the fast train network on the Ballarat line this time has been reduced significantly for peak usage trains.
Accessibility
Guided Tours
Tours of the collection with the enthusiastic and knowledge Volunteer Guides are available every day at 2pm. Special tours of the collection are available for groups by prior arrangement.
Mobility access
Lifts and ramps ensure easy access to all areas of the Gallery. A wheelchair is available and can be reserved for you by phoning before your visit.
Toilet and infant change
Toilets with wheelchair access and infant change table are available on the ground floor just near reception. An is also provided.
Breastfeeding
The gallery is a breastfeeding friendly venue.
Parking
Street parking is available within walking distance to the Gallery. Two accessible car spaces are available for people with appropriate permits near the front of the Gallery. Commercial extended parking is available in Field Street behind the Gallery.
Art Gallery of Ballarat
40 Lydiard Street North
Ballarat VIC 3350
T: (03) 5320 5858
E: artgal@ballarat.vic.gov.au
W: artgalleryofballarat.com.au
Opening Hours
Open daily, 10am – 5pm.
Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day.
Entry is Free
Special exhibitions may have an admission fee.
Get Directions
Exhibitions
The Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV) acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands where our office is located, and all Traditional Owners of country throughout Victoria and Australia. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples enduring traditions and continuing creative cultures. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
We are an LGBTQIA+ friendly organisation and celebrate cultural diversity.