Firstdraft's 40th Birthday Party

Firstdraft is forty!

Join us on the 14th of November, from 6—10 pm, to celebrate over 2,000 artists, over 150 Firstdraft board members and over 1,000 exhibitions spanning forty years and four venues.⁠

Live music, catering, & drinks to be announced.

Firstdraft entry is always free— but RSVPs highly encouraged.

want to be part of the exhibition?

As a part of our fortieth anniversary year, we are collecting stories, memories, histories and images from the people who helped us reach this milestone. Whether you are a board alumni, past exhibiting artist, former staff member, program participant, volunteer, or even a regular gallery visitor with fond memories of Firstdraft we want to hear from you <3⁠
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We are trying to get a feel for the human side of Firstdraft, beyond the snippets of news articles, opening invitations and exhibition documentation that we have in our extensive archive. ⁠
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Click here to submit your firstdraft story.
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You can upload as many stories, photos and memories as you like. We also welcome contributions to our archive via mail to our address 13 - 17 Riley Street, Woolloomooloo, Gadigal, NSW, 2011 ⁠
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If you want to tell us your stories in person we will do our best to arrange a time to accommodate you! ⁠
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Contributions made to our archive may be included in future exhibitions or publications, you can let us know in this form if you want to be anonymous or are uncomfortable with your story being shared. ⁠
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venue accessibility information:

Getting Here

• Gallery entry is on the ground floor via Haig Lane.

• There is a grey wall with Firstdraft painted on it which you can see from the entry of the lane.

• Train/Metro:

  • St James is the closest station.

  • Town Hall and Martin Place are also within 15 minutes walking distance.

  • Gadigal Metro station via Park St within 10 minutes walking distance.

  Bus:

  • The closet bus stop is on Riley Street - the 461 bus stops here.

  • The William St near College Cr bus stop is also close with 311, 324, 325, 333, 333N, 461, 501, 506 busses stopping here.

  
  Pedestrians and Cyclists

  • Firstdraft is accessible for pedestrians and cyclists via Haig Lane

  • The footpaths surrounding the area are sloped and sometimes uneven

  • There is a wide 3m gate at the entrance

  • Bicycles can be parked next to the gallery gate

  Private car and motorcycle

  • Private car and motorcycle users can park in nearby car parks, and on-street.

  • On-street parking is limited during business hours due to the busy area, but spaces are usually available.

General information

• Gender-neutral bathrooms are provided. These are single-stall, with sanitary bins.

• Assistance animals are welcome, and drinking water is available.

• Our building is climate controlled, depending on the artwork being shown.

Access Parking

• The closest car park with Mobility Parking (MPS) is Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Car Park at 61-101 Phillip Street, Sydney. More info about that carpark here.

 Access Information

• Inside the galleries will be optimal white lighting.

• The gate to the Firstdraft courtyard is 3 metres wide.

• Gallery 1 and 2 are upstairs.

• Gallery 3 is downstairs and entered through the courtyard, via a ramp. The entry is 110cm wide.

• Gallery 4 is downstairs and entered via a ramp. The entry is 86cm wide.

• The staircase has 17 concrete steps.

• There is one gender neutral bathroom located on the ground floor. The entry is 74cm wide.

• Please get in touch if you would like to meet someone one-to-one in advance, or turn up early to our events for an easier entry

• Firstdraft is in a high pollen area, it may be useful to check the Pollen index here.

• We welcome the use of safety/particulate masks for those that wish/need to use them.

Image credits:  East Sydney Precinct Art Month Live Night, Firstdraft, 2020.  '1986', Firstdraft (30th anniversary party), Firstdraft, 2016.  Firstdraft Auction, Firstdraft, 2019.  Firstdraft (former Surry Hills location), 2009.