AusLeisure

The Albury Regional Art Gallery closed its doors on 5th July in preparation for a redevelopment worth $10.5 million.

Sydney based architecture firm NBRS & Partners were appointed in March to develop the new designs for the gallery. Their vision is to create a must-see cultural destination and to reshape the region's largest arts institution into a leading cultural centre and community space.

Speaking earlier this year, Albury City Mayor Alice Glachan said the decision to go ahead with the development was a major boost for art, tourism and economic development, with the proposed works predicted to generate 30,000 out of town visitors and inject $3.8 million in tourism spend annually.

Mayor Glachan explained "it's incredibly pleasing that we can get this project underway.

"It's been a long time coming but it's a much needed project for our region and will make us a competitive force in the national and international arts and culture arena. We're very thankful for the community's input throughout the process and we're looking forward to delivering a fantastic new facility.

"Anything less than the redevelopment that's planned would fall short of any benchmark for a regional gallery."

Founded in 1981 and housed in the historic Town Hall Building, the public gallery has significant architectural limitations due to its federation free classical style. It sits on the highest profile part of the Queen Elizabeth II Square- a pivotal position that reflects the building's significance.

The redeveloped gallery will offer two new spaces to house permanent exhibitions of the Drysdale and Howard Daniel Gift collections, while the floor space available for touring organisations will be also be doubled, allowing the gallery to host large scale international and national works.

The gallery is set to reopen in mid 2015.

For more information go to www.alburycity.nsw.gov.au/leisure-and-culture/albury-regional-art-gallery

14th June 2012 - ALBURY TO BE BOOSTED BY ENHANCED CULTURAL PRECINCT

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