The Power Institute Foundation for Art and Visual Culture
Our mission is to develop the latest ideas and theories concerning visual art and culture -- past, present and future -- and to communicate them, both nationally and internationally.
History
The Power Institute was established by a bequest from Dr John Joseph Wardell Power to, in his words:
"make available to the people of Australia the latest ideas and theories in plastic arts by means of lectures and teaching and by the purchase of the most recent contemporary art of the world ... so as to bring the people of Australia in more direct touch with the latest art developments in other countries."
Today the bequest is managed by the Power Institute Foundation which assists the University of Sydney, through the Power Institute, to realise the aims of its founder. The Foundation achieves this by
- supporting research and scholarship in the Power Institute and its initiatives;
- supporting the development of the Schaeffer Fine Arts Library, Power Publications and the Public Education program;
- promoting the Institute in the wider community and encouraging good international relations for Australia in the Fine Arts; and
- seeking financial and other support for the Institute's activities.
Donations to the Foundation play a vital role in realising these aims, and are tax deductible.
Structure
The Power Institute conducts many activities in research, public education, publications, as well as housing a significant collection of images, books and other research materials in the Schaeffer Fine Arts Library, which is one of the largest art reference libraries in Australia. Formerly known as the Power Research Library, it was established in 1968 specialising in twentieth-century art. Its current scope encompasses the entire history of art, and the collection presently comprises some 22,000 books and exhibition catalogues, 4,000 bound journal volumes, plus honours and higher-degree theses and essays, and an increasing collection of non-book (audiovisual, CD Rom) material. Emeritus Professor Bernard Smith, leading art historian and critic and the inaugural Director of the Power Institute, has willed his extensive book collection to the Power Institute.
The Visual Resources Library is a primary repository and record of the work of Australian artists. It also holds a collection of over 165,000 slides and digital images surveying art history from prehistoric times through to the present, and a large collection of videorecordings. The Visual Resources Library is currently building a major database of digital images that greatly increases access to its collection for teachers, students and researchers.
