The Rime of the Ancient Mariner: A Live Reading
Ahoy, poetry lovers! Embark on a literary voyage with Peter Rainey and the SMSA Members’ Poetry Group as they drop anchor in the Henry Carmichael…
Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts
Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts has been welcoming members and visitors for over 190 years, providing an inclusive environment for people to share their love of learning.
Home to Australia’s longest-running lending library and the Tom Keneally Centre, SMSA is an integral part of Sydney’s literature and cultural society.
SMSA offers a robust event program and invites members and visitors to attend.
Our convenient Sydney CBD location also provides a range of meeting rooms and event spaces for hire.
We invite you to explore what SMSA has to offer…
A piece of SMSA History
Daring Debaters: Exploring SMSA artifacts at the State Library of NSW
In celebration of our rich history, the SMSA was given exclusive access to the Special Collection at the State Library of NSW.
SMSA History
An inclusive members society with a passion for sharing knowledge
Since its inception, the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts has always been a meeting place for lifelong learners eager to share their knowledge and skills. A self-funded, not-for-profit organisation wholly owned by its members, SMSA has made a major contribution to Sydney’s culture, industry, society, and politics since 1833.
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LIBRARY
Open to SMSA members to browse and borrow
Our library collection has over 30,000 books on the shelves covering all genres including fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, biography, and poetry. Many people know us for having the best crime fiction collection in Sydney.
VENUE HIRE
Meetings and events in the heart of the city
SMSA offers several flexible and affordable meeting rooms and event spaces, which are all conveniently located right in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. From our tiered theatre and multiple meeting rooms, to the unique book lovers venue, the Tom Keneally Centre, SMSA is the place to meet.
Featured Event
An Evening With The Keneallys
The SMSA was proud to host an exclusive evening in conversation with the Keneally family to honour national treasure, Australian novelist, playwright and actor Tom Keneally AO, his daughter, co-author, editor and reporter Meg Keneally and Meg’s daughter and emerging poet Alex Coverdale. Enjoy this unique discussion with three generations of Keneally’s exploring their work, family and more.
What’s On
In Conversation With Peter FitzSimons and Ryan Butta
Come along to an inspiring conversation between Peter FitzSimons and Ryan Butta as they discuss Peter’s latest book – The Legend of Albert Jacka . Discover the extraordinary story of a…
News & Updates
EVENT RECORDING: Amanda Hampson in conversation with Catherine du Peloux Menagé
View All The SMSA hosted a conversation between author Amanda Hampson and BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival’s Artistic Director, Catherine du Peloux Menagé . This relaxed chat explores the latest addition A Cryptic Clue to the highly acclaimed A Tea Ladies Mystery series. The event was part of The Cryptic Clue: An Afternoon with Amanda Hampson which also […]
EVENT RECORDING: DEMENTIA JOURNEY: A CARER’S GUIDE TO DEMENTIADuring Senior’s Week 2024, the SMSA hosted a talk between author’s Jennifer Muir and Blanche Antonisen to discuss their book Dementia Journey, A carer’s guide to Dementia. This book tells their story as untrained carer’s and the journey they took looking after loved ones with dementia. This was a free event which was part of […]
Between the Lines: Conversations on the art of writingIn celebration of World Day of the Writer, we were joined at the SMSA by authors Tim Ayliffe, Ashley Kalagian Blunt, Shankari Chandran and Ryan Butta. Led by Ryan, the panel shared their experiences as published authors, laughed at writing myths and discussed creative techniques and methods. This was a free event which was part […]
Membership
When you join SMSA as member, you get a wide range of benefits
Access to the SMSA Library
We are home to a unique collection of books, a highlight being our Mystery and Crime section.
Able to borrow from the Tom Keneally Centre
We are honoured to be the home of Tom Keneally’s personal collection of books, many of which have been used as research for his own work.
Access to member only events
Join a members group, share your passions, learn new skills and get involved.
Access to member only activities such as members groups
We provide a variety of member only events, these are relaxed social occasions to have fun and make new friends.