Operation Art

Exhibition information 2026

Operation Art has moved into an exciting new model for our exhibition program!

Our goals

Continuing on with our new exhibition model, our goal is to represent students and schools across the state, celebrating their creative achievements in the most equitable and accessible ways possible.

All artwork entries received by schools this year will be exhibited in galleries across NSW in 2026, according to the regions where the students’ schools are located. This will provide easier access for schools and families to attend opening celebrations, workshop programs and hospital artwork donations in galleries closer to their hometowns, enabling more of our students to see their work on display.

As always, a team of judges will select 50 artworks to be gifted to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead and these works will continue to be displayed at the Art Gallery of NSW annually, as well as being displayed in their local gallery in the larger exhibitions.

New model explained

  • Artworks will no longer be displayed at Sydney Olympic Park Armory Gallery but will be displayed in an exhibition schedule across the year in various NSW galleries, similar to the ARTEXPRESS exhibition model.
  • The Touring 50 will now be called the Hospital 50.
  • Sydney-based schools will be able to submit up to 2 artworks (individual or collaborative works) to be included in the exhibition. The Armory Gallery is no longer available to us as a space, so we need to reduce the number of artworks displayed to accommodate gallery sizes. The Sydney region constitutes more than 50% (400 artworks) of the annual exhibition so we need to reduce this to fit into alternative gallery spaces.
  • To encourage greater participation by schools outside of the Sydney Metropolitan area, regional, rural and remote schools will be able to submit up to 6 artworks (individual or collaborative works) to be included in the exhibition. Our regions will now have the opportunity to be represented at localised regional galleries showcasing as many local student works as possible.

Other Information

  • The Hospital 50 will be displayed at the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick before being gifted to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
  • Every single artwork submitted will be framed and exhibited in a gallery exhibition.
  • Each gallery exhibition will host a special opening ceremony.
  • Each school and student will receive an opening ceremony invitation and certificates for participation and for prize winners.
  • Exhibition catalogues will be printed and available for all participating schools and students.
  • Image files will be available for schools and families on request.