Celebrating 190 years 1833 – 2023

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SMSA SMSA SMSA

Visit Us

We look forward to seeing you at Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts (SMSA). SMSA was established in 1833 and we are a self-funded not-for-profit organisation, wholly owned by our members.

SMSA acts as a community hub that provides members and the wider community with diverse social, cultural and educational experiences. Our library is one of the longest-running lending libraries in Australia. Our collection is unique, with our members calling it the ‘best fiction library in Sydney’. To learn more about our library click here.

SMSA organises a range of free public events as well as exclusive member events. To learn more about what’s on click here. To become a member of SMSA click here.

We are proud to be the home of the Tom Keneally Centre. To learn more about the centre click here.

We provide flexible venue hire options for volunteer, not-for-profit, commercial and government organisations. Please enquire to receive more information about venue hire at SMSA.

Opening Hours

Library:

The Library is open for all members to browse & borrow

Monday to Friday: 8:45am to 6:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 1:00pm
Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays

Tom Keneally Centre:
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays 10:30am – 2:30pm

*Please note that the Tom Keneally Centre is currently closed and will reopen on Tuesday 7th February 2023.

 

Venue Hire and Administration:

Monday to Friday 9:00am-5:00pm

 

Directory

  • Windeyer/Dowling & Woolley/Lawson Meeting Rooms and Theatre — Level 1
  • SMSA Library — Level 2
  • SMSA Reception & Offices, Norman Selfe Meeting Room — Level 3
  • Tom Keneally Centre — Level 3
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Planning your trip to the SMSA

Public Transport

By Train

The nearest train station is either Town Hall or Museum, depending on which line you are travelling.

By Bus

Park St Buses – Get off at Town Hall or QVB

Elizabeth St buses – Get off at Hyde Park opposite Bathurst St

For further assistance with trip planning, please refer to the Transport NSW website.

Accessibility

Level access

The SMSA is accessible via ramp or stairs at our entrance on Pitt Street. All levels of the SMSA, including the library, are accessible via lifts.

Wheelchair access

All areas of the SMSA are wheelchair-accessible except for the stage in our theatre which has one small step. An accessibility ramp can be provided upon request. 

Guide dogs

Assistance and guide dogs are welcome at the SMSA. Water is available on request.

Toilets

An accessible toilet is located on the Ground Level. It is located to the right of the Ground Level lifts. A key to access the toilet can be provided on request during office hours Mon – Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm. 

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Parking

Although there is some on-street metered parking available in surrounding streets, most visitors to the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts find it is more convenient to use a nearby parking station.

Find a parking station near Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts

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    Celebrating 190 years 1833 – 2023

    Join as a Member