All Australian based women artists are welcome to join and submit images to the Register.

It is used by artists, curators, teachers, students, researchers, designers and the general public. 

The Register facilitates contact between artists and clients providing a range of consultancy services as well as arranging artists talks and providing lectures to educational institutions and professional groups. 

The Register's Committee of Management  and all tasks: archiving, "Bulletin", catalogs, web site etc.  are carried out by volunteers

Volunteers  run the Register and organise special events, seminars and artists talks.

People wishing to work on the collection are invited to contact the Register.

Volunteers are at Register every second Tuesday from 10 am - 3pm, please call the
register on (03) 9201 0665 to enquire. Most of the files are accessible during library hours,
the keys to the filing cabinets on the library floor are held at the main desk.

The Register is located at the Richmond (formerly Carringbush) Library in Melbourne and contains over 20,000 slides and 1300 information folders as well as publications, articles, statistical information and research papers.  Phone 03 9201 0665 -  or EMAIL THE REGISTER  Library opening hours.

Mail address: WOMEN'S ART REGISTER , c/o Richmond Library , 415 Church St, Richmond, 
Vic 3121 Phone (03) 9201 0665 Fax c/o Library - (03) 9201 0655

Established by artists in 1975 the Register records and promotes the work of Australian based women. The earliest images date from 1840. 

The Women's Art Register  celebratied its 30th anniversary in 2005. It is a collection of national significance - a repository of the cultural heritage of Australian women artists and women's art practise. 

There are three main areas of operation: The Archive: Publications: Special Events:

The  volunteers maintain the ever growing collection of over 20,000 slides, documentation folders, books, journals and catalogues representing over 200 artists. The material is available for loan Australia wide. All members are eligible to borrow material. Members unable to visit the collection can arrange interstate loans by phone or mail and material will be posted to them. Richmond (was Carringbush Regional) Library actively supports the Register by collecting and maintaining books, catalogues and videos on Australian and International women artists. 

PUBLICATIONS: 

"The Women's Art Register"    information book with a comprehensive history of the Register by  Dr Juliette Peers was  launched 8 March 2005,  International Women's Day.   This is a  24 page booklet in  full colour,  illustrated by  historic and contemporary work of members of the Register. It also has a vision statement,  membership forms, and instructions  for accessing the Register.  This booklet is intended for schools, libraries and arts organisations. It aims to inform the public about the Register and to encourage participation through membership and volunteer activities. See  pictures of some sample pages here.

The Bulletin features articles, reviews and professional opportunities. 

Five educational slide kits have been produced for Australian schools and tertiary institutions. Images and resource material provide positive role models for all female students and promote the arts as a viable career choice for girls. Nine hundred slide kits have been produced and distributed to schools since 1988. 

The Catalogueof archive contents is constantly updated -  will soon be available on CD.
The 1999 catalogue is available for puchase for $15.00

Special Events:
Amongst the special events organised by the Register were

OUR EXHIBITION  'GENETICS' 
A very successful exhibition of the art of 30 members of the Women's Art Register from across Australia, including an entry from Papua New Guinea, was held at Horti Hall, Victoria Street, Melbourne, in May 2004. Artists were invited to submit works related to the theme of Genetics,  and a wide range of interpretations created a stimulating and cohesive  exhibition. Collage, acrylic paint, photography, prints, textiles, ceramics, sculpture and mixed media created diverse and fascinating works of art. 

Janine Burke, arts author, biographer and founding member of the Women's Art Register opened the exhibition, and spoke about the history and importance of the Register, and the contribution that women have made to change the face of art history. The opening was very well attended, and there was quite  a buzz in the crowd as they viewed the works.

The success of the exhibition was due to the generosity of the  volunteers who donated their time to organize entries, compile, print and collate the catalogue, attend to publicity, organize and dispense food and drinks,  take photographs, accept and record works, hanging the exhibition, as well  as sitting at Horti Hall during opening hours, then taking down the works for collection, and repairing the walls and cleaning up of Horti Hall. Manythanks to all the volunteers for your efforts.

 The Melbourne City Council generously donated a grant for the use of Horti Hall to stage this exhibition.

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All content of this web site copyright © Women's Art Register 2003, 2004. 2005, 2006, 2007