NRMA Insurance has committed $200,000 to support the 2025 Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, ensuring the event will proceed as scheduled from Oct. 17 to Nov. 3.
The insurer’s intervention follows a public appeal by event organisers, who cited a funding gap that threatened the exhibition’s viability.
Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi is a prominent annual outdoor art event that attracts both local and international visitors.
In response to the funding shortfall, organisers launched a public appeal that raised more than $125,000 in donations within 30 hours. Contributions came from across Australia and overseas, with amounts ranging from small individual gifts to larger sums.
The appeal was concluded after NRMA Insurance confirmed its role as a major partner.
David Handley, the event’s founding director, acknowledged the swift response from the public and the significance of the insurer’s support.
“Thank you to so many people who responded so quickly to our funding short fall. The response has lifted the spirits of the artists and our staff. The telephone call from NRMA Insurance on Thursday was like a dream and a decision was reached in a matter of hours,” he said.
He added that the collaboration with NRMA Insurance will provide support to the artists involved and enable the reinstatement of selected components of the School Education Program ahead of the exhibition scheduled for next month.
The new partnership will help stabilise the event’s finances and enable the continuation of educational programs for students.
NRMA Insurance CEO Julie Batch addressed the company’s decision to support the event.
“When we learned this iconic event was at risk, we immediately reached out to help. Sculpture by the Sea not only celebrates and supports Australia’s arts sector, but it also fosters community connection, bringing people together from all walks of life. We’re proud to contribute $200,000 to help ensure this beloved event continues to bring joy, inspiration, and creativity to the shores of Bondi and beyond,” she said.
Handley also expressed appreciation for the collective effort from sponsors, donors, artists, and the wider community.
“We are grateful to our new partner NRMA Insurance, to the many people who rallied around, to the artists for their patience and trust, for our other sponsors and donors, for the support of the media, and for the goodwill from the people of NSW and the many messages of support from around the world,” he said.
This announcement coincides with the centenary of NRMA Insurance, which was founded in 1925 as part of the National Roads and Motorists Association.
Over the past 100 years, the insurer has expanded from serving early motorists to providing a broad range of insurance products, including home and disaster coverage.
NRMA Insurance has played a role in shaping safety standards and responding to major disasters. The company has adapted its operations following events such as the Newcastle earthquake in 1989 and the Sydney hailstorm in 1999, introducing new approaches to catastrophe modelling and supporting regulatory reforms.
In recent years, the insurer has managed thousands of claims related to bushfires and other natural disasters, and has worked with organisations like the Australian Red Cross and GIVIT to enhance disaster preparedness and recovery.
Since 2024, NRMA Insurance has reported handling over 1.6 million customer calls, conducting 43 helicopter missions for community support, and delivering hundreds of resilience workshops in partnership with the Red Cross.
The insurer has also introduced premium incentives for customers who implement risk mitigation measures, such as bushfire-proofing their properties.
