A redevelopment to take Bendigo Art Gallery into the future

29/05/2025

An illustration of how the Bendigo Art Gallery will look once the redevelopment is completed.

Bendigo’s famous art gallery is set to offer visitors, community and the local economy even more, with a major redevelopment of the site locked in for 2026.

Already drawing major exhibitions and big visitor numbers, the redevelopment will allow the gallery to continue the success that has seen it generate more than $113 million in economic impact for Greater Bendigo since 2012.

It’s a project that recognises the importance of Victoria’s creative industries, and the power of art as a tourism and economic driver.

The project will create a second-floor blockbuster exhibition space and expand the gallery’s storage capacity. A new learning centre will be added, along with a theatrette, and a Traditional Owner Place of Keeping for Dja Dja Wurrung cultural material.

These upgrades will future-proof the gallery as it continues to grow, displaying some of the country’s best exhibitions.

Bendigo Art Gallery is one of the oldest and largest regional galleries in Australia. Audiences come from around Australia to see its innovative international exhibitions, public programs and events.

Currently, this includes the Frida Kahlo: In Her Own Image exhibition, which has sold more than 50,000 tickets since opening in March.

The redevelopment project is being funded by a $21 million investment from the Victorian Government, $9 million from the City of Greater Bendigo, $4 million from the Gallery Board, and $9.35 million in philanthropic support.

Expected to start in early 2026, the redevelopment will take approximately 2 years to complete.