Introduction to the Australian Art World

The Australian art world a rich and complex ecosystem that bridges public exhibitions and collections, commercial galleries, university and art school galleries, art fairs, artist and community run initiatives, and private collections.

Nick Vickers provides a comprehensive understanding of the creative industries and gives valuable insights into the art market for artists, art graduates, enthusiasts and collectors who want to enhance their knowledge of this exciting arena, where creativity, collecting and commerce intersect.

You’ll learn how to map the Australian art market as Nick demonstrates the differences between the public and private sectors and highlights the important links between the two. Discover the place of collections such as ArtBank as well as the world of high and low art fairs like Art Basel, Sydney Contemporary and the Affordable Art Fair; and most importantly, the importance of artists and where they fit into the whole creative industry.

Nick explains the support mechanisms for artists, funding opportunities, art prizes, the role of galleries, tax implications, donations, buying and selling works of art and the organisations that work behind the scenes of the creative industry. Learn about the art of art collecting including the reasons people collect, whether for investment, aesthetic satisfaction, fascination, inheriting and the differences between the primary market
and the secondary market for collectors.

The course is suitable for participants of all levels of experience and interest in the arts.

* Please note: This course consists of 4 sessions on campus on Thursday evenings. The 5th session will be held off-campus on Saturday, 14 March 2026 11am-1pm. The location, date and time will be confirmed during the course with lecturer Nick Vickers.

* NAS Short Courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over. The NAS Art Club is open to students between 15 - 17 years of age.

* What to bring? Please refer to the list of required materials in the Art Materials field below.

Notebook and pen
Digital notebook or tablet

Nick Vickers has worked in the Australian creative arts industries for over 30 years and has championed the works of emerging artists by establishing several galleries through universities and art colleges, including his first gallery at the University of NSW Art & Design in 1984. He has presented, curated and hosted national and international artists and has lectured in tertiary, intermediary and secondary institutions.

Nick contributed to the curatorial expanse of the University of Sydney Art Collection where, through his expertise as Curator of the University Union art collection, he added works of some considerable cultural significance. He established the Sir Hermann Black Gallery & Sculpture Terrace through which he hosted and curated ten years of highly rated art exhibitions and prizes that included The Blake Prize and The Freedman Foundation annual exhibitions. He has also acted as Curator to the Activate UTS art collection.

On a local government level Nick has served on curatorial panels with the Sawmillers Sculpture Prize at North Sydney, The City of Ryde Council as Curator of SWAP. Most recently he initiated Artists4Ukraine and Prints4Ukraine, 2 separate fundraising exhibitions that support displaced children from the Russian/Ukraine conflict. Over 100 of Australia’s leading artists donated works and raised over $75,500 for this worthy cause.

Nick is an independent art curator and lecturer at Meadowbank TAFE. In 2024 he curated a major exhibition Beyond the Brush in NSW Parliament House, Sydney. He has also co-curated exhibitions at The Armory at Sydney Olympic Park.