Bequest Circle
Private support | Donations or bequests | The Foundation | Bequest Circle | AFNGA | Corporate partnerships
The National Gallery of Australia Bequest Circle
represents and acknowledges the special group
of people who have made a commitment to the
Gallery by including us in their will.
To become a member of the Bequest Circle you simply
need to let us know that you have remembered the
National Gallery of Australia in your will.
Bequests may be made in memory or honour of family
or friends.
Making a gift to the Gallery in your will means that you have the use and enjoyment of your assets during your lifetime and also contribute to the national art collection.
We welcome all bequests. There are no membership or
administration fees. Your bequest will be used solely to
acquire works of art for the national collection or for your
nominated purpose.
We encourage open discussion to make sure your wishes
for your bequest are made clear.
- Bequest Circle brochure (pdf 3.6mb)
- Bequest Circle membership form (pdf 26kb)
- Read Ray Wilson's speech at the Bequest Circle launch (pdf 16kb)
John Olsen Sydney sun [King sun] 1965 oil on three plywood panels
Purchased with funds from the Nerissa Johnson Bequest 2000 © John Olsen. Licensed by VISCOPY, Australia more detail Types of bequests
If you decide to leave a bequest to the National Gallery of Australia there are several options. The most common forms of bequest are:
- gift of cash
- percentage of your estate
- work of art
- residuary gift
- an interest in a trust created in the will.
We recommend that you seek professional advice from your solicitor or financial adviser in arranging a bequest to the National Gallery of Australia. If you are considering leaving the Gallery a gift of art, we encourage you to contact the Foundation. The Gallery acquires works of art in line with its acquisitions policy and our curators can discuss the Gallery’s collecting needs.
Specific wording of your bequest
Following are examples of suggested wording to include in your will to make sure that your wishes are enacted.
- Gift of art:
‘I give my (clearly describe the work of art) to the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory for its use at its absolute discretion.’ -
Gift of cash or a proportion of your estate:
‘I give (proportion of estate or dollar amount or the residue of my estate) to the National Gallery of Australia Foundation, Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory for the purpose of acquiring works of art.’ - Gift to the National Gallery of Australia Foundation
'I give (proportion of estate or dollar amount or the residue of my estate) to the National Gallery of Australia Foundation for its use and benefit absolutely.'
Acknowledgment
The National Gallery of Australia Bequest Circle represents and acknowledges the special group of people who have made a commitment to the Gallery by including us in their will.
The Gallery acknowledges Bequest Circle members by:
- formally acknowledging their generosity (with their permission) in the National Gallery of Australia Foundation Annual Report and in Artonview
- inviting them to an exclusive Bequest Circle Recognition Annual
Event and to other Gallery events and programs
including bequests of over $100 000 on the Gallery’s Honour Board in the Gallery foyer - acknowledging all gifts of works of art, or acquisitions made with the support of a bequest, on the work’s display label and wherever the image of that work is reproduced.
Others may wish to remain anonymous. The Gallery respects these wishes.
Becoming a member
To become a member of the National Gallery of Australia Bequest Circle you simply need to let us know that you have remembered the National Gallery of Australia in your will. You can do this in one of the following ways:
- notify us in writing of your intention to make a bequest
- send us a copy of the relevant section of your will
- send us a letter of confirmation from your solicitor.
Bequests to the National Gallery of Australia are managed through the National Gallery of Australia Foundation, a Deductible Gift Recipient.
For additional information about membership of the National Gallery of Australia Bequest Circle or to discuss your bequest options, please contact
Liz Wilson
Manager Membership & Development
phone +61 2 6240 6469