The Cowra Regional Art Gallery is located in Cowra’s main cultural precinct together with the Cowra Library, World Peace Bell and the Cowra Civic Centre. The Gallery opened in October 2000 and aims to foster an appreciation, awareness and enjoyment of the visual arts in the community and prides itself as an important part of the cultural life of the region.
The Gallery offers a lively program of changing exhibitions including in-house curated projects and significant touring exhibitions from state and national sources featuring a diverse range of contemporary art and craft practices and social/historical themes. The Gallery also seeks to engage with a diverse regional public through a program of public events, educational activities and outreach projects including openings, gallery talks, holiday workshops for children, artist run initiatives and quality open learning opportunities for adults.
The Gallery collection boasts a significant range of artworks by emerging and established Australian artists. At its core is the Calleen Collection initiated in 1977 by Mrs Patrica Fagan OAM and housed at the gallery since 2001. Currently the Calleen Collection has 47 works acquired through the Calleen Art Award. Another important feature of the gallery collection is the Olive Cotton Collection which comprises many key works by the artist. The Gallery also houses significant heritage items relating to the Cowra POW Camp and the Pardey (photographic) Collection.
The Gallery Shop offers visitors a unique range of greeting cards from major Australian art institutions and local artists; art magazines and art books; local history publications; and a range of unique gifts including handmade bags, textiles, colourful glass platters and jewellery.
The Cowra Regional Art Gallery is a cultural facility of the Cowra Shire Council, a member of Regional and Public Galleries, and Museums NSW, and is financially supported by the NSW Government through Arts NSW.