The Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts (SMSA) is a member-based association incorporated under the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts Incorporation Act 1886.  It is the oldest School of Arts in Australia.

The Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts has provided $75,000 over three years to fund a part-time research and writing position.

A three-year program launched in 2009 supports a historian to research and write histories of Sydney connected to the SMSA.  It played a pivotal role in developing Sydney’s cultural landscape and many of the characters, places and events covered in the Dictionary’s pages have emerged as a result of this program.

Mark Dunn is the incumbent SMSA writer in residence (2010 – 2011).

Catherine Freyne was the first SMSA writer in residence (2009 – 2010).

All the articles made possible by the project can be seen on the SMSA’s supporter page.