City of Newcastle has kicked off 2026 with a $500,000 boost from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation as final preparations occur before the opening of the $48 million expansion project.
The donation is the result of community fundraising by the Foundation and follows the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with City of Newcastle.
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM, City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath and Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation Deputy Chair Ian Andrews celebrate the ongoing relationship between the organisations.
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said the organisations were dedicated to the future of the expanded Gallery, which will celebrate its full reopening next week.
"Since being established in 1977 the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation has played an integral role in supporting the growth and success of the Gallery through advocacy, fundraising and contributions to its nationally significant collection," Mr Bath said.
"This $500,000 donation follows $12.5 million raised over many years for the Gallery's expansion and demonstrates the Foundation's ongoing dedication to its success, which is reinforced by a memorandum of understanding between our two organisations.
"We look forward to gathering together with the Foundation and our community next week to celebrate the full reopening of the Gallery, which will mark the completion of the largest capital works project and most significant commitment to cultural infrastructure in City of Newcastle's history."
Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation Deputy Chair Ian Andrews said the community contribution via the Foundation was the catalyst for securing support from all levels of government.
"The initial $10 million commitment in 2020 was made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan Bequest, together with community fundraising over many years, and we are proud to have raised more than $2.5 million since launching the expansion fundraising campaign in early 2022," Mr Andrews said.
"Thanks to the prudent investment of donor funds over several years, the Foundation is pleased to be able to contribute a further $500,000 to honour its $13 million goal.
"The Foundation would like to acknowledge the donors and supporters for their unwavering generosity and commitment. With the signing of the MoU, we now look forward to continuing to work together as a community to help our new Gallery realise its full potential."
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM witnesses the signing of the MoU by City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath and Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation Deputy Chair Ian Andrews.
The elected Council and members of the Foundation's Board unanimously endorsed the new MoU at their respective meetings in December last year.
The MoU recognises the historical and cultural importance of the Gallery as custodian of the most valuable public art collection in Australia outside of a capital city, which provides a time capsule of Australian art dating back more than 200 years and is worth $145 million.
It acknowledges the work undertaken by City of Newcastle and the Foundation to preserve and promote the Gallery and reflects the shared strategic priorities of the two organisations, including financial support of exhibitions and programming, and the long-term sustainability of the Gallery as a leading cultural institution.
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the Foundation's contribution to the expansion project and the Gallery's collection has been invaluable.
"For almost 50 years, the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation has championed the growth of the Gallery, enriching its collection by contributing to the acquisition of more than 335 significant works of art," Ms Morton said.
"Their support for the expansion project and their ongoing contributions to the future success of the Gallery are essential as we embark on a new era for the reimagined Gallery that will see us present more of our works, collaborate with leading artists nationwide and host major Australian and international exhibitions."
The expansion and reopening of the Newcastle Art Gallery will be celebrated with a range of events and activities from 27 February to 1 March, including an opening night street party in Laman Street on the Friday and the launch of its major collection exhibition, Iconic Loved Unexpected, on 28 February.
Visit https://newcastleartgallery.nsw.gov.au/ to stay up to date with the Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project and full reopening program.
The expansion project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $13 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation.
