Premier Morris Iemma today announced a massive boost to arts infrastructure in Sydney, with a $35.7m injection for two of the State’s flagship institutions.
While attending the 2008 Archibald Prize ceremony along with Arts Minister Frank Sartor, Mr Iemma announced two significant grants from the NSW Government:
• $25.7 million for new gallery spaces and a fine art storage complex for the Art Gallery of NSW; and
• $10 million towards a new wing for the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Mr Iemma said the package recognised the importance of the arts to NSW families, with more than 80 per cent of people attending a cultural venue or activity each year.
“NSW has a strong record of building arts infrastructure going back to Joe Cahill and Neville Wran. I want to add another chapter to that proud story”, Mr Iemma said.
“This is a great night for Australian art and a great night for this Gallery, which has served the people of NSW faithfully for 150 years.
“The two projects will expand the cultural story for our State and open up more opportunities for people to enjoy truly great art.”
Mr Sartor said: “Step by step, we are strengthening our arts infrastructure and supporting the outstanding work of our arts organisations.”
The announcement was welcomed by the Director of the Art Gallery of NSW, Edmund Capon and the Director of the MCA, Liz Ann Macgregor.
“I warmly welcome the NSW Government’s commitment to the Art Gallery, which is consistently rated as Australia’s most visited and most loved gallery,” Mr Capon said.
Ms Macgregor said she was thrilled by the NSW Government’s contribution. “This is a tremendous boost to the MCA and will help us to realise our dream of creating a truly international institution serving the audiences of the future. We are very grateful to the Premier, Mr Sartor and the Government for their support,” Ms Macgregor said.
The package complements several major Iemma Government initiatives that have been recently completed or are underway:
• $49 million Carriageworks centre at Eveleigh (completed in 2007);
• $41 million Collections and Research Building and exhibition upgrade at the Australian Museum (due to open in late 2008); and
• $70 million Opera House Venue Improvement Program (due for completion in 2009).
Art Gallery of NSW: The Art Gallery project will enable a massive 1000 m2 basement currently used for storing paintings to be transformed into a major new contemporary art gallery.
In turn, a state-of-the-art storage facility off-site will enable the Gallery’s $700 million collection to be stored under optimum climatic and security conditions.
The space freed up by relocating collection storage will be converted into public gallery display space. The $4 million cost of this conversion has been kindly donated by the Belgiorno-Nettis family.
Museum of Contemporary Art: The MCA plans to build a new northern wing that will provide a centre for creative learning of national significance, revamped gallery spaces and improved access for the public.
With a total cost of $50 million, the remainder will be sought from other levels of government and the private sector over the next two years. The Museum has already raised $15 million from donors.
The design, by innovative architect Sam Marshall in partnership with the NSW Government Architect, will complement the existing building and energise the Rocks precinct and Circular Quay.
By increasing access and circulation, the new wing makes the building work better as a whole. It will also expand commercial spaces to provide more ongoing revenue, which will assist the MCA to continue offering free entry.
11 March 2008