It’s the last opportunity to visit the Newcastle Art Gallery this weekend before it closes its doors for two years, following the announcement that its $40M expansion will officially start this Monday.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole announced a $10M grant from the Commonwealth and NSW Governments in Newcastle, officially locking in the Art Gallery upgrades.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was the beginning of an exciting new era for the Newcastle Art Gallery, after more than 16 years of effort to make the expansion a reality.
“This funding will add to the $16.5M already committed by the City of Newcastle and $10M bequeathed by the late Val Ryan,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle will now issue a national tender to decant the Newcastle Art Gallery and securely store its 7,000 works, which are collectively valued at more than $115M.”
Cr Nelmes said the City of Newcastle would partner with the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation and the community to help raise the remaining funds needed.
“By doubling the size of the gallery, significantly increasing the exhibition space and delivering a suite of modern facilities, this project will deliver an expanded and upgraded gallery of international standing,” she said.
In its final weekend of operation, the Newcastle Art Gallery will have extended hours on Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm, including special activations, music, food, and a pop-up bar on-site.
At present, only one per cent of Newcastle Art Gallery’s works can be displayed in any year due to a lack of space.
The expansion project includes an additional 1,600 square meters of exhibition space with dedicated areas for the gallery’s collection on the lower level, while the upper level will cater to various travelling exhibitions.
The project will also deliver a new café and retail shop, multi-purpose and educational program space, a secure international standard loading dock, and extend the building’s footprint east along Darby Street and Queen Street.
The collection will still be available online and represented across digital screen sites throughout the city during the expansion project.
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the expanded gallery would be a major attraction for the city.
“The long-awaited expansion of the gallery which our foundation, society and the community have worked tirelessly towards will offer the ability to share more of our collection, displaying works of art of local, national and international importance for visitors to view and enjoy,” Morton said.
“To have all levels of government commit, collaborate and do this for our city is just incredible.
“We are beyond thrilled; all of my team are walking on clouds!”
Morton said the project was more than just about increasing the art space but also re-imagining the gallery and launching a new era of cultural tourism.
“This project is about re-imagining the Art Gallery to redefine what we offer as a destination and launch a new era of cultural tourism that will consolidate the Hunter’s reputation as an active and vibrant centre for the arts in NSW,” Morton said.
“We have such a strong art community, and it amazes me that our gallery has lasted for the 44 years that it has; our collection has grown by 500 per cent and values at $115M, but we can’t get any of it on display because we don’t have the physical space.
“To be able to finally get them up on the wall so that the community can come in and see their favourites is incredibly exciting.”
Morton was also recognised this week on the Australia Day Honours List and awarded Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for her outstanding and meritorious service to the museums and galleries sector.
She sits on multiple Industry Boards and Committees for organisations such as Create NSW, Museums and Galleries NSW, the University of Newcastle, and the John Hunter Hospital.
“I am absolutely blown away; I just feel incredibly humbled and really proud to be recognised for what I love to do,” Morton said.
“To be recognised in an incredibly wonderful way is a huge honour, and I’m not sure it’s entirely sunk in yet!”
Morton is the first female Director in Newcastle Art Gallery’s 64-year history and, under her leadership, has helped the gallery achieve the highest audience participation in over a decade.
Hayley McMahon
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