The Victorian Government has just announced that Melbourne is set to become home to Australia’s largest contemporary art gallery as a part of an arts precinct transformation that will deliver new public spaces, better theatres, and ‘thousands of local jobs’.
NGV Contemporary will become a world-leading standalone gallery focusing on contemporary art and design, built on the site of Carlton & United Breweries on Southbank Boulevard. The Victorian Government expects the new gallery to be completed by 2025.
The massive arts district redevelopment project will bring Southbank’s precinct to life with 18,000 square metres of new public space, allowing visitors to move effortlessly from Southbank and the Yarra past the cultural institutions surrounding St. Kilda Road. The project is expected to create 10,000 jobs during construction, 260 ongoing jobs and attract an extra 3 million visitors each year. The development plans for the arts precinct are in motion to better connect public spaces for locals and visitors to enjoy.
NGV Contemporary would not be in competition with, but “complement”, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart voiced NGV director, Tony Ellwood.
The Labor Government will invest $208 million over two years in the first phase of the project, to kick-start planning. The hub will also become home to new administrative, education and research facilities, the Australian Performing Arts Gallery, an expanded Australian Music Vault, and a new centre for small-to-medium and independent arts organisations.
“This once-in-a-generation redevelopment of Southbank and the arts precinct will create thousands of jobs and attract millions of visitors from across Victoria, Australia and the world,” said Premier Daniel Andrews. He also expressed that “this ‘game-changer’ will cement Melbourne as the cultural capital of Australia”.
“The revitalised arts precinct will better connect our existing facilities, create new jobs, opportunities and spaces for our creative community, and offer free, accessible cultural experiences for all Victorians,” commented Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley.