Power Institute

JJW Power, a former medical graduate of the university, left a legacy of approximately $2 million to the university upon his death in 1943. The bequest was transferred to the university following his wife's death in 1961, to be used for "...the foundation of a Faculty of Fine Arts in such University or the further endowment of said faculty if existing in the manner to make available to the people of Australia the latest ideas and theories in the plastic arts by means of lectures and teaching and by the purchase of the most recent contemporary art of the world and by the creation of schools lecture halls museums and other places for the purpose of such lectures and teaching and of suitably housing the works purchased so as to bring the people of Australia in more direct touch with the latest art developments in other countries". [Ref 1].

On 6 September 1965, the Senate adopted the Vice-Chancellor's statement of use of the JJW Power Bequest to establish the Power Institute of Fine Arts. The Vice-Chancellor recommended that the Institute comprise a Power Department of Fine Arts, a Power Gallery of Contemporary Art, and a Power Research Library of Contemporary Art. [Ref 2].

At its February 1998 meeting, Senate noted that the Vice Chancellor had approved a change of name from the Power Institute of Fine Arts to the Power Institute: Centre for Art and Visual Culture.

Ref 1: Senate Minutes 1961 to 1962 (04/12/1961 to 03/09/1962), p. 114, [REF-00070375]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 2: Senate Minutes 1965-1966 (Jun 1965 to Jan 1966), p. 105, [REF-00070380]. University of Sydney Archives.