Orange Regional Gallery is a vibrant hub for art in the Central West of New South Wales, Australia. Our commitment to supporting artists is at the heart of everything we do. We strive to nurture their creativity, enabling them to produce new and innovative works that captivate audiences.

In addition to our dynamic Exhibition and Education Programs, we are proud custodians of a remarkable Collection of modern and contemporary art, sourced from both Australian and international artists.

Our journey began with the establishment of the Orange Festival of Arts in the late 1960s, which brought bi-annual visual arts events to the Central West. Recognizing the need for a permanent venue, the Orange Civic Theatre was constructed in 1976, featuring a small exhibition space in the foyer. Under the skillful direction of Jane Raffin, the Orange Civic Theatre Gallery thrived.

In 1983, the Council made the decisive move to construct the current Gallery and Library complex, inspired by Mary Turner's generous donation of 34 significant twentieth-century Australian paintings in 1982. The esteemed New South Wales Government Project Architect, Colin Still, designed our magnificent facility, which was officially opened on 19 April 1986. It was a proud moment when our building was awarded the prestigious Sir John Sulman Medal for a Building of Outstanding Merit by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects New South Wales Chapter.

Unfortunately, the path to our grand opening was marred by an act of arson in 1985, when an individual set fire to the main gallery. Despite the setbacks caused by substantial damage and delays, we persevered in our mission to bring exceptional art experiences to our community.

Barry Pearce curated the first exhibition in our spacious gallery, titled 'Two Centuries of Australian Painting', featuring artworks loaned from the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Since then, we have had dedicated individuals serve as Directors, including Peter O'Neill (1986-1990), Alan Sisley (1991-2014), and Lisa Loader (2014-2016).

In August 2018, we received a significant boost when the Orange Regional Gallery was granted $4,052,990 through the first round of the NSW Government's Regional Cultural Fund. With the generous support of Orange City Council and community donations totaling $1,000,000, we are thrilled to announce the extension of our facility. Designed by the esteemed Sydney firm Architect Marshall, this expansion will create a new contemporary gallery space, enhance our collection and conservation areas, and provide a state-of-the-art lecture theatre.

At Orange Regional Gallery, we are dedicated to fostering a deep connection between artists, their art, and our diverse audiences. We invite you to join us on this enriching journey of artistic exploration and cultural appreciation.