Art Gallery of Ballarat redevelopment
Thursday, 21 July 2011
The $1.9 million redevelopment of the Art Gallery of Ballarat, including significant restoration works and a major extension of the function hall, has been officially unveiled by Minister for Regional Cities Denis Napthine.
Dr Napthine travelled to Ballarat today to celebrate the completion which he said would add a new dimension to one the country's best regional galleries.
The Art Gallery of Ballarat has a first-class collection that would rival the collections in the galleries of most other state capitals. The impressive upgrade means Ballarat can now expand its focus on artistic pursuits and attract exhibitions of an even higher calibre.
Upgrading cultural assets like the Art Gallery of Ballarat ensures that local communities can not only provide and experience significant exhibitions themselves, but also attract visitors to the region and strengthen the local economy.
Dr Napthine said the project builds on Ballarat's reputation as a vibrant regional centre and provides further stimulus to the vibrant Camp and Lydiard Streets arts precinct, and to the local arts and cultural community.
The Art Gallery of Ballarat redevelopment project works included:
- extending the exhibition hall space to create a more flexible function/ exhibitions space
- relocating the gallery café and shop
- installing better lighting and climate control to improve the amenity of the venue and the building's sustainability
- restoring the building's heritage facade.
The Victorian Government contributed $990,000 in funding for this upgrade, along with an equivalent amount provided by the City of Ballarat.
"I commend the unified efforts of those people in the local community who helped make this project happen. Their vision and determination are testament to the regional spirit we all know so well."
Dr Napthine said the Art Gallery of Ballarat redevelopment project is an example of the positive partnership between the community, Council and Government; partnerships that will be sustained and nurtured through the Victorian Government's $1 billion Regional Growth Fund launched in Ballarat earlier this month.
