Power Gallery of Contemporary Art

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". The bequest also included a number of contemporary artworks collected by Power that arrived at the University later that year. [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].

The Power Gallery of Contemporary Art began its public exhibitions programme in 1968. [Ref 3].

For two decades, the Power Gallery collection was held in temporary storage and exhibition facilities across the campus. A Report of the Power Institute Committee identified in 1984 that "there would be insufficient funds in the Bequest to cover the cost of a new building and on-going maintenance costs, so the State Government support would be needed". A sub-committee was then established to prepare proposals in relation to possible alternative sites. [Ref 4]. In November 1984, an announcement was made by the New South Wales Premier that "the New South Wales Government would make available to the University for the Gallery, the building now occupied by the Maritime Services Board at Circular Quay". [Ref 5].

In 1993, the Gazette reported that, "The Power Gallery was renamed the Museum of Contemporary Art in 1989 and a company limited by guarantee was formed to manage its concerns. The MCA was relocated to its current impressive Circular Quay premises in 1992. The MCA retains its strong affiliation with the University, which provides financial support. Members of the University's Power Department of Fine Arts are represented on the MCA Board and Fine Arts students and researchers from this University and other institutions have access to the MCA's holdings." [Ref 6].

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.

Ref 3: Senate Minutes Sep 1969 to Jan 1970 (01/09/1969 to 19/01/1970), p. 78c, [REF-00070389]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 4: Senate Minutes Vol 9 October 1984, pp 1271-1421 (Oct 1984), p. 1406, [REF-00070544]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 5: Senate Minutes Vol 11 December 1984, pp 1643-1957 (Dec 1984), p. 1798, [REF-00070546]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 6: The Gazette, Vol 21, No 3 (Dec 1993), p. 6, [REF-00092804]. University of Sydney Archives.