Render of new CGAG

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Central Goldfields Art Gallery - redevelopment update

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Render of new CGAG

Central Goldfields Art Gallery - redevelopment update

Wednesday September 1st, 2021

A $1.9 million development of the Central Goldfields Art Gallery in Maryborough is about to begin. The project has been made possible thanks to $1.7 million from the Victorian Government and $273,000 from Central Goldfield Shire Council’s 2020/2021 budget. 

Central Goldfields Art Gallery's Curator and Education Officer Helen Kaptein said the redevelopment was a milestone for the Gallery, which was established in 1996 in its current location within an 1861 fire station: “The project will see Central Goldfields Art Gallery upgraded to meet the requirements of a contemporary public art gallery and ensure the Gallery meets national standards in the presentation of artworks for both touring exhibitions and local content. The permanent collection will be properly stored and displayed and visitor facilities will be extended and improved to ensure all ages and abilities are welcomed to the Gallery.  A new entrance will be introduced, designed in a way that local people and visitors are encouraged to come on in and enjoy their public art gallery.

Melbourne architectural firm Nervegna Reed was appointed to finalise the Gallery designs, which spans: 
•    New environmental controls to enable the loan of major art works 
•    New permanent collection gallery 
•    Upgraded lighting system
•    New permanent collection store
•    Indigenous Interpretative Garden
•    New loading dock for bus parking and exhibition deliveries
•    Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant access
•    Workshop area for education and public programs

The redeveloped Central Goldfields Art Gallery is expected to re-open in winter 2022.  

The Gallery’s collection has been relocated to off-site storage in Melbourne and to appropriate public and council owned spaces around the Shire. The Gallery is collaborating with the Ararat Gallery TAMA (Textile Art Museum Australia) to store and exhibit art quilts from the permanent collection. The redevelopment is identified as a transformational project within the Central Goldfields Shire Tourism and Events Strategy.


Image: Render of the new Central Goldfields Art Gallery front façade.


The Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV) acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands where our office is located, and all Traditional Owners of country throughout Victoria and Australia. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples enduring traditions and continuing creative cultures. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.