Firstdraft is where the future of contemporary art emerges, through a program that champions experimentation, risk and inclusion.

Situated on Gadigal land, Firstdraft is Australia’s leading contemporary art space dedicated to the presentation of emerging and experimental practice. We present a diverse program of exhibitions, performances, public programs, new work presentations, all free and open to the public. Programmed by an open and equitable call-out process we provide critical support for early career creative practitioners through professional development, commissioning and mentorship opportunities, and outreach. Firstdraft builds communities of artists and audiences from all backgrounds to come together and share the stories of our generation.

Firstdraft has been supporting emerging artists and bringing experimental practices to audiences since 1986. Established as an artist-run-initiative, its longevity is testament to the sustained commitment of countless artists, writers, curators and arts professionals involved with Firstdraft over the last four decades. With a commitment to positioning creative practitioners at the centre of all that we do, we include artists' voices in governance and champion diverse emerging and experimental practices, people and programs.

Firstdraft is supported by the New South Wales Government through Create NSW, the Australian Government through Creative Australia, and the City of Sydney through its Creative Spaces Program.

Firstdraft is a member of Contemporary Art Organisations Australia (CAOA), a national network of fifteen public, independent, non-collecting contemporary art organisations from all Australian states and territories that advocates for the small-to-medium contemporary visual arts sector in Australia. Firstdraft also co-convenes All Conference, a national organising network comprising fifteen artist-led, experimental and cross-disciplinary arts organisations.

Images
Nadia Hernandez, THIS IS MY ARMY (ESTE ES MI EJÉRCITO), 2018, Firstdraft, Sydney, Photo Zan Wimberley
'party''girl' Curated by Ainslie Templeton, 2017 Firstdraft, Sydney
Bhenji Ra and Angela Goh performance at ‘Rogue Agents’, 2017 curated by Auto Italia South East, Firstdraft, Sydney
Duha Ali, Justine Youssef, Body Cartography, 2017 Firstdraft, Sydney, Photo Zan Wimberley
Kimchi Princi performing at ‘Firstdraft 30 Years’ 2016, Firstdraft, Sydney
Claudia Nicholson, performance at ‘invocation’, 2016, curated by Adonis and Latai Taumoepeau, Photo Jodie Baker
Lisa Sammut, a monumental echo, 2018, Firstdraft, Sydney, Photo Zan Wimberley
Nathan Beard, Zen Objects (i-xxii), 2017 ‘Transcendence’ Curated by Nanette Orly, Firstdraft, Sydney, Photo Zan Wimberley