International Art Series returns to Sydney

Two outstanding international art exhibitions will be on display for the Sydney International Art Series 2015-16, which is expected to once again attract visitors from around Australia and the world, according to Tourism & Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond.

This year’s Series features The Greats: masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW; and Grayson Perry: My Pretty Little Art Career exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

Ms Osmond said: “The Sydney International Art Series, a collaboration between Destination NSW, the Art Gallery of NSW and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, was a proven hit with both domestic and international visitors.

“By providing cultural tourists with the opportunity to experience outstanding classical and contemporary art exhibitions within a short walking distance of each other, the Art Series unites Sydney’s Harbour and Botanic Gardens and reaffirms the city’s reputation as a cultural and creative hub in the Asia Pacific.

“These exhibitions add depth to Sydney’s tourism tapestry, providing visitors with not only a reason to visit, but also a reason to stay longer and spend more while they are here, which is a characteristic of cultural visitors.”

Since starting in 2010, the Sydney International Art Series has generated more than $90 million in visitor expenditure for NSW and attracted over 1.4 million attendees, with over 116,000 overseas and interstate visitors coming specifically to Sydney to view the exhibitions.

Ms Osmond said the Sydney International Art Series is now an established drawcard on the Destination NSW events calendar.

“As a signature event on the NSW Events Calendar, the Sydney International Art Series is now an integral part of the city’s tourism offering, adding to the city’s cultural capital and enhancing its reputation within Australia and internationally.”

The Greats exhibition runs from 24 October 2015 to 14 February 2016 at the Art Gallery of NSW, while the Grayson Perry exhibition goes from 10 December 2015 to 1 May 2016 at the MCA.