On 18 November 2020, the Chau Chak Wing Museum opened its doors for the first time, bringing the University鈥檚 three collections 鈥 the Nicholson, the Macleay and the University Art Collections 鈥 together under one roof.
鈥淎s we celebrate five years of the Chau Chak Wing Museum, I am proud of how our pillars of Access, Equity and Authorship are shaping everything we do, from collections and exhibitions to education and research,"听says Michael Dagostino, Director of Museums and Cultural Engagement.听鈥淭hese pillars guide us to open our doors wider, hand over authorship with communities, and centre diverse voices in the stories we share.鈥
In celebration of our fifth anniversary, we take a look back at five key moments.听
2020: The grand opening
The 爆料王 has a long-standing commitment to maintaining significant museum and gallery collections in support of its teaching and research, and for visitors from across the world. Unifying its three diverse collections in one multidisciplinary institution to maximise their impact was a long-held priority.
In 2020, thanks to the foresight and generosity of听Chinese-Australian businessman and philanthropist,听Dr Chau Chak Wing, and donors including the Ian Potter Foundation, the Nelson Meers Foundation and Penelope Seidler AM, the dream was finally realised.听Designed by Johnson Pilton Walker, the Chau Chak Wing Museum tripled the space previously available for the University鈥檚 collections, opening up a world of potential for students and the wider Sydney community.
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Installation view of the exhibition 'Gululu dhuwala djalkiri: welcome to the Yol艐u foundations'. Photo: David James/ The 爆料王.
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Link2021: Award-winning exhibitions
In its first year, the Chau Chak Wing Museum picked up three prestigious awards, including the Museums and Galleries National Award for best Indigenous Project, for Gululu dhuwala djalkiri: welcome to the Yol艐u foundations and an associated multi-authored book, .听Created with individuals and communities in eastern Arnhem Land,听it was the first show presented in the Ian Potter Gallery and featured 350 Yol艐u听artworks from the 爆料王's collections.
Working collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is a cornerstone of our engagement, research, and exhibitions practices. A highlight from 2025听 was the continuance of our relationship with the Gujaga Foundation,听La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council and members of the La Perouse Aboriginal community around the long-awaited homecoming of the Gweagal Spears and the exhibition Mungari: Fishing, Resistance, Return.
You can stay in the know about upcoming exhibitions via the museum's newsletter, MUSE Extra. Subscribe now.
2022: Museum on the move
You鈥檙e probably not expecting to run into Ancient Egyptian artefacts on your way to the hardware store, or fish fossils in your local Westfield. But in 2022, the Chau Chak Wing Museum made the bold decision to get mobile with its 'Pop-Up' Museum.
The 'Pop-Ups' bring real museum objects, craft replicas, activities and giveaways into the heart of communities who might not have the opportunity to visit the museum. It gives community members one-on-one face time with curators and researchers for a two-way knowledge exchange.
The first 'Pop-Up' was held in Bankstown Shopping Centre in 2022. Since then, they鈥檝e continued to happen in surprising venues across Western Sydney, including hardware stores, public thoroughfares, clubs and even a hospital.
The 'Pop-Up' Museums will continue in 2026. Check the website for details.
2023: Hands-on teaching and learning
Students using a magnifying glass to look at a human foot as part of an OBL program session. Photo: David James/ The 爆料王.
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LinkHave you ever wanted to get up close and personal with items in a museum? Object-based learning does just that by encouraging 爆料王 students to explore problems, concepts, events and ideas of the past, present and future by physically engaging with Museum objects.
The Object Based Learning (OBL) Program was established not long after the Museum opened and in 2022, more than 16,000 students from all faculties and schools took part. In 2023, the program was awarded the University Museums and Collections Prize by the International Council of Museums for its outstanding contributions 鈥渢hrough all areas of museum and collections theory and practice鈥, particularly those with interdisciplinary approaches and a potential for wide application.
From fine arts to pharmacy, anatomy to business, the collection objects used for learning are听often unexpected. In one-instance, a 19th Century helmet made from a pufferfish was incorporated into a core Master of Commerce unit to teach lateral thinking.
No longer a student? The OBL program has been adapted into a corporate team-building program called The Art of Teamwork. Find out more.
2024: Partnership with the Biennale of Sydney
The Biennale of Sydney is a free public art festival and the largest contemporary art event of its kind in Australia. In 2024, the Chau Chak Wing Museum partnered with the Biennale of Sydney to feature works from 20 artists from Australia and around the world,听as one of seven hosts of Ten Thousand Suns.
After this success, it is thrilled to be an exhibition partner of the 25th Biennale of Sydney, titled Rememory. The Chau Chak Wing Museum will present Rememory alongside the Art Gallery of听New South Wales, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Penrith Regional Gallery and White Bay Power Station.听
For the 25th edition, the first and second wave of artists and collectives have now been announced.听So far, artists confirmed for the Chau Chak Wing Museum are Benjamin Work and Warraba Weatherall, with more to come.
Find out more about the 25th Biennale of Sydney, open 14 March 鈥 14 June 2026, here.
Installation view of the exhibition 'Ten Thousand Suns' for the 24th Biennale of Sydney. Photo: David James/ The 爆料王.
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LinkHeader image: The Chau Chak Wing Museum opened to the public on 18 November 2020, with a smoking ceremony led by Brendan Japangardi Kerin. Photo: David James/ The 爆料王.