Meaning and connection through art

Those who work and volunteer at the Art Gallery know that the experience of visitors can be deeply meaningful. Bethen Haddon who is the volunteer coordinator at the Art Gallery explains:

“Engagement with the arts can help people connect to their feelings, thoughts and imagination. It can promote empathy and help us show compassion to others and ourselves. It can build self-confidence and resilience, and reduce anxiety, as well as foster social connections and improve mental health and wellbeing. 

“The Art Gallery helps reduce social isolation through community engagement, and access to the arts can support emotional and psychological wellbeing. The Art Gallery provides visitors with access to culture and identity which helps foster a sense of belonging.”

And its volunteers who make it all possible. 

One volunteer is 29-year-old Raf, who is part of the Culture Crew program, which is designed for tertiary students and young professionals. Raf’s role is as varied as the visitors he meets. On one shift, he might be greeting people at the door, on another helping families navigate activities or assisting with collaborative art installations created by artists and contributed to by visitors.

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(Image) 29 year old Raf is a volunteer with the Art Gallery of NSW

But for him, the purpose is clear and simple.

“I would like to think that my volunteering efforts have contributed to great experiences for every visitor I encounter,” he says. “I really value making someone’s day really nice and making their experience of the Art Gallery something memorable.”

Raf has a way of noticing the in-between moments, like when someone hesitates at an entrance or wonders what to see next and turning those moments into something meaningful. His work reflects the Art Gallery’s focus on inclusion and wellbeing, helping visitors feel welcomed, supported and part of something larger.

One evening after his shift, a brief conversation at a shuttle stop became something more. A couple mentioned they had not known about the Art Gallery’s late-night Art After Hours programs. What followed was a conversation about exhibitions, events and membership that left them feeling reconnected to the space.

“It was simple,” Raf reflects, “but meaningful.”

Across the Art Gallery, Betty Kim brings a different but equally powerful presence.

At 72, Betty volunteers as a Korean Language Guide, opening the institution to visitors who might otherwise find it less accessible. Her work requires preparation, research and a deep understanding of the artworks she presents. Each session is carefully planned, from writing and practising her tour to arriving early to welcome her audience in their own language.

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(Image) 72-year-old Betty volunteers as a Korean language guide 

“I feel that my volunteer work serves to promote the most significant Australian artistic institution to the wider Korean community,” Betty says. “I help bridge the gap and facilitate engagement, knowledge and enjoyment of Australia’s culture.”

During her tours, Betty does more than translate. She interprets meaning, builds context and creates space for conversation. Her sessions are lively, shaped by questions and curiosity, and grounded in her commitment to helping visitors feel confident and connected.

Her adaptability was tested during one school holiday session when a large group of energetic children arrived unexpectedly. Adjusting her approach on the spot, Betty transformed the experience into something playful and engaging.

“It was a challenge because I’m usually an adult guide,” she says, “but as I enjoy children, I had a lot of fun.”

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(Image) Betty giving a tour

Although Raf and Betty come from different generations and bring different strengths, their contributions intersect in a shared purpose. Both go beyond the basics of volunteering. They actively shape how people experience the Art Gallery, whether through a warm welcome, a thoughtful conversation or a carefully crafted tour.

Their work supports the institution’s broader goals around wellbeing and community connection. Through programs like Culture Dose, the Art Gallery recognises that engagement with the arts can reduce anxiety and social isolation, while building empathy and resilience. Volunteers play a vital role in making these outcomes possible, by helping translate organisational goals into lived experiences for visitors.

For Raf, volunteering has created a sense of belonging.

“Volunteering has made me feel like I’ve contributed, even in a small way, to a city I love and to a place like the Gallery that means a lot to me,” he says.

For Betty, it is about being part of something larger.

“I am very proud to be part of this incredible community of volunteers,” she reflects, while also recognising opportunities for greater connection and support within that community.

Together, their stories highlight the many ways volunteering can shape both individual lives and community experiences. Whether through quiet acts of kindness or deep cultural exchange, their contributions ripple outward, strengthening the Gallery’s role as a place of belonging, learning and wellbeing.

In these everyday interactions between people, art and place, the Art Gallery’s broader commitments come to life.

The Art Gallery of New South Wales’ vision is to be a beacon for art in Australia, reflecting and exploring perspectives from our place in the world and enriching lives through meaningful encounters with art.

Click here to learn more about the Art Gallery of NSW. 

The Art Gallery of New South Wales supports UN SDGs 1 Good Health and Well-Being, 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, 12 Responsible Consumption and Production and 13 Climate Action. 

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