Fifty-one job cuts have been proposed to cover a $7.5 million budgetary shortfall at the Art Gallery of NSW, forcing members to take action.

In August 2025, staff walked out at lunch and assembled across the road from the Gallery, at The Domain’s famous Speakers Corner, to hear from PSA industrial staff about the cuts.

“It was heartening to see, not only members from the gallery turn up in droves, but PSA members from nearby cultural institutions take the time to come down and support their fellow union members,” said Industrial Manager Julie-Ann Bond, who spoke at the rally in front of a large media contingent. “They know how important it is for PSA members to stick together.”

A large media contingent was in place to hear how the cuts were mainly aimed at frontline roles, with the Gallery’s senior executive largely spared the knife.
The following month, after a meeting with management and Arts Minister John Graham, the union again took action, this time at the seat of power in NSW. Protesters gathered at Macquarie Street, outside State Parliament, to demand the Minister reverse his decision to cut more than 50 frontline roles.

The PSA’s ongoing campaign, called Art Attack, depicts politicians such as Mr Graham, Premier Chris Minns and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey in famous artworks, such as the Mona Lisa and American Gothic.

PSA Assistant General Secretary, Troy Wright, compared the parsimonious treatment of the cultural fields with the amount of money splashed out on sporting facilities.
“This government found $309 million to build a new football stadium in Penrith that no-one wanted,” he said. “To John Graham, to Daniel Mookhey and to Chris Minns we say, enough is enough, stop the art attack, leave the gallery alone, and let it succeed.”

Delegate Sharne Fielder said staff at the Gallery “are passionate about what we do”.

“The NSW Government should be acknowledging our efforts, not punishing us,” she said.

The PSA continues to meet with management and the Minister over the proposals.