The Art Gallery of New South Wales’ expansion will officially open to the public in time for the summer break on 3 December 2022.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the once in a generation project will attract the world’s biggest touring art exhibitions to Sydney, the nation’s cultural capital.
“This expansion to one of our state’s flagship public institutions will drive tourism, create jobs, and ensure New South Wales remains on everyone’s ‘must see’ list,” Mr Perrottet said.
“It will allow many artworks currently in storage to be displayed, and also provides a prominent new destination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.
“This is a major investment in art, artists and culture, and sends a strong signal of confidence for a vibrant and exciting future.”
As well as the new building by Pritzker Prize-winning architects SANAA, with executive architect Architectus, the Art Gallery’s much-loved original building is being revitalised.
Minister for Infrastructure Rob Stokes said older areas of the Art Gallery will be updated to complement the expansion.
“This incredibly important piece of city-building infrastructure will be delivered on time and on budget, with construction of the new building close to completion,” Mr Stokes said.
“New outdoor spaces are being created, including a public art garden set in one of the world’s most beautiful cultural precincts, adjacent to the Royal Botanic Garden.”
Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said the $344 million expansion is a major NSW Government investment in the state’s future that will almost double the space for art and attract leading exhibitions from around the world.
“The expansion will be Australia’s newest and most significant cultural landmark to open in the 21st century, delivering us a world-class destination for art in the nation’s cultural capital,” Mr Franklin said.
“We will all be looking forward to a summer filled with art experiences only possible in Sydney. I am so excited locals and visitors to the state will all get to enjoy the new, expanded Art Gallery when it opens.”
Art Gallery of New South Wales director Michael Brand said the expansion will deliver many firsts for art, artists, and audiences.
“All eyes will be on Sydney when the state’s transformed home for art opens. This is a standing invitation for the community to visit our expanded Art Gallery on Gadigal Country overlooking Sydney Harbour from 3 December,” Mr Brand said.
The Art Gallery is the country’s first art museum to be awarded the highest rating for sustainable design, with its new building receiving a 6-Star Green Star design rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
Together with the NSW Government’s $244 million in funding, the Art Gallery has raised more than $100 million from private donors to support the expansion.
The highly anticipated expansion, featured in global lists of top museum openings to watch, is expected to inject more than $1 billion into the NSW economy over 25 years.
The expansion remains on track and on budget with construction of the new building by Richard Crookes Constructions close to completion.
Image and video renders available here
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