the south australian society of arts, established in 1856 and oldest fine arts society still in existence, held annual exhibitions in south australian institute rooms and advocated for a public art collection. in 1880 parliament gave £2,000 to the institute to start acquiring a collection and the national gallery of south australia was established in june 1881. it was opened in two rooms of the public library (now the mortlock wing of the state library), by prince albert victor and prince george. most works on display were acquired through a government grant. in 1897, sir thomas elder bequeathed £25,000 to the art gallery for the purchase of artworks.