New art gallery for Adelaide should go on the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site, City Council says

THE Adelaide City Council has thrown its support behind a new art gallery in Adelaide, but says the State Government and arts leaders should consider building it on the old RAH site, not on the Torrens.

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THE Adelaide City Council has thrown its support behind a new art gallery in Adelaide, but says the State Government and arts leaders should consider building it on the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site, not on the Torrens.

As revealed in The Advertiser, the State Government is considering a $250 million modern art gallery set on the Torrens as a way to supercharge tourism and revitalise the economy.

Lord Mayor Martin Haese says the Royal Adelaide Hospital site adjacent to the Botanical Gardens is a prime candidate for the potential project.

The site will become vacant and be developed when the new Royal Adelaide Hospital opens later this year.

“We are immensely supportive of this but what we must ask is, are we considering all the locations?” Mr Haese said.

“I understand that the riverbank is an emerging precinct however we have an existing cultural boulevard in North Tce. There are plenty of emerging opportunities and one very big one at the eastern end and I haven’t heard one mention of the Royal Adelaide Hospital site.

“I’m really encouraging the government and the leaders of all our cultural institutions to look at all options as where this could potentially be located.”

Art Gallery of SA director Nick Mitzevich and Economic Development Board chairman Raymond Spencer are championing the new gallery.

They say Adelaide could go from economic uncertainty to becoming a cultural destination, similar to the impact modern art and iconic architecture has had on struggling European cities like Bilbao in Spain.

Arts Minister Jack Snelling said he had no preference for the location of the proposed gallery at this early stage but “was open to all suggestions”.

Mr Haese believes the Royal Adelaide Hospital site should be a contender to house the project, which could also include an Aboriginal Cultural Centre that has previously been spruiked in the council’s strategic plan.

“This would involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, art, artefacts, conservation of the land, spirituality, story telling — with a uniquely South Australian focus,” Mr Haese said.

“It (the RAH) should be considered as a potential location for such a wonderful facility that would activate that end of North Tce, be used seven days a week and attract visitors from around the world.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Megan Hender said an art gallery connecting with the Botanical Gardens makes sense.

“A significant cultural hub that will act as an anchor for tourism in the east is something I’m really supportive of,” she said.

“We need to have a cultural and economic driver in the east of the city to replace the hospital.”