Overview
Geelong Gallery unfortunately advises that the online Membership and Donation forms are currently unavailable for payments processing. Please contact Geelong Gallery directly on (03) 5229 3645 to complete your transaction over the phone to avoid delays.
Annual Appeal 2025
As much of my practice is a social commentary on society, I really hope it encourages conversations and raises questions.’
Richard Lewer
Richard Lewer is a multi-disciplinary artist working across painting, drawing, and animation to explore the human condition. Through his highly autobiographical practice, Lewer illuminates universal and challenging subjects, such as crime, religion, health, and grief. His candid and authentic reflections—often presented with a humorous twist—deeply resonate with audiences who connect their own experiences with Lewer’s works.
This summer, we will stage a solo exhibition of the artist’s work and welcome visitors to engage with the thought-provoking topics presented from 15 November 2025 to 8 February 2026.
The cost to curate, transport, install, and commission such important works is significant. Geelong Gallery relies on your support to continue to share the most of inspiring artists’ futures with our community. We do need your help. Your tax-deductible gift, no matter the size, helps us deliver must-see exhibitions to Geelong.
Image: Richard Lewer, Pride (after Jan van Eyck) 2023, synthetic polymer paint on brass, Private collection, © Courtesy of the artist, Photographer: Andrew Curtis
Donations of works
The Geelong community has a long tradition of supporting its art gallery. Frederick McCubbin’s A bush burial (1890) was purchased by public subscription in 1900 and over a century later, through donations by individuals and all levels of government the Gallery purchased Eugène von Guérard’s View of Geelong (1856).
The growth of the Gallery’s collection has been due to donations of works of art by individuals, donations of works of art through the Federal Government’s Cultural Gifts Program and monetary donations from Geelong Gallery Foundation towards the purchase of works of art.
Geelong Gallery and Geelong Gallery Foundation are registered as deductible gift recipients with the Australian Taxation Office.
Cultural Gifts Program
Donations of works of art may be given under the Cultural Gifts Program to Geelong Gallery. This program encourages gifts of significant cultural items to public art galleries by offering donors a tax deduction for the agreed market value of their gifts.
The Cultural Gifts Program is administered by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. For detailed information on this program visit their website www.arts.gov.au
The Director or the Curator would be happy to discuss with you works proposed for donation, as well as the Gallery’s collection policies, and provide advice on contacting approved valuers. Please contact the Gallery to arrange a meeting.
Humphrey Clegg
Director and CEO
humphrey@geelonggallery.org.au
Lisa Sullivan
Senior Curator
lisa@geelonggallery.org.au
Bequests
Through a bequest, of any size, you can make a significant and lasting tribute that will develop and strengthen Geelong Gallery’s collection and public programs into the future.
A bequest to Geelong Gallery is a precious gift and most generous way of making a lasting contribution to the Gallery. Such a legacy will enable present and future generations to draw inspiration and have transformative experiences from this much-loved institution.
Making a bequest in your Will is a straightforward process. After considering your family and loved ones, you can make a real and positive difference to Greater Geelong’s community and cultural landscape.
The Gallery maintains a permanent record of its benefactors and will acknowledge your generosity in a manner you feel appropriate or anonymously. We will always respect your wishes.
Your generosity is Geelong Gallery’s future. Download our Bequest brochure and our How to make a bequest—a form for Wills and Estates guide.
We are happy to discuss how you can support the Gallery and any personal requests or special areas of interest you may have. For more information about our bequest program, please contact the Gallery on 03 5229 3645 or info@geelonggallery.org.au
By notifying us of your bequest, you will be invited to become a member of the Hitchcock Society. The Hitchcock Society acknowledges its members, past and present, encourages future bequests and holds events to thank and celebrate the generosity of its members.
Dorothy McAllister Bequest—provides funds for the acquisition of early British (1780–1820) and Australian porcelain as well as examples of work by Geelong’s Colonial silversmiths.
Sybil Craig Bequest—provides funds for the acquisition of works on paper.
Dr Colin Holden Bequest—provides funds to ensure the Gallery will continue to collect, exhibit and research in the field of Australian and International printmaking.
John and Bette Mann—provides funds to support young Australian artists by enabling the Gallery to acquire their works for the collection.
Margery Rix Bequest—provides funds to present exhibitions and acquire works of art for the enjoyment and education of
our community.
JB Ryan Perpetual Trust—provides funds for the acquisition of works of art.
Gift in honour
Express your appreciation for someone special with a Gift in Honour. Your donation can be made in recognition of a special event, or perhaps a final tribute in remembrance of a special life.
If suitable, Geelong Gallery will send a letter of appreciation to the person or persons you designate your gift to, informing them of your donation in their honour, or that of their loved one.
For further information contact us at andrew@geelonggallery.org.au
Donations over $2.00 made to Geelong Gallery Limited are eligible for a tax deduction. Geelong Gallery Limited is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) from 01 July 2000 and registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) from 3 December 2012.