Design tender awarded for Darwin CBD’s new State Square art gallery
ONE of the centrepieces of the multimillion-dollar State Square precinct redevelopment is a step closer with a design consultancy tender awarded.
Northern Territory
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- End of an era as old Chan building demolition begins as part of State Square redevelopment
- Design tender released for $50m State Square Precinct redevelopment art gallery
ONE of the centrepieces of the multimillion-dollar State Square precinct redevelopment is a step closer with a design consultancy tender awarded.
Local architectural company, Ashford Group, has the prestigious job of designing the new State Square art gallery.
The brief for the Darwin CBD project is for a high-quality cultural facility to showcase art from the Territory’s collection.
Construction is expected to begin in 2021.
The government says the facility will host Australian and international exhibitions.
Positioned as an architectural attraction in its own right, the art gallery will seek to draw more visitors and Territorians to the Civic and State Square precinct and elevate Darwin’s prominence as a must-visit arts tourism destination as visitation resumes.
Tourism and Culture Minister Lauren Moss said with outdoor spaces that connected with the green spaces of the Civic and State Square precinct, the new gallery would provide more opportunities for local participation in arts programs, special events, festivals, and other public programs.
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The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) Board will operate the new facility on behalf of the Northern Territory government.
MAGNT director Marcus Schutenko said the new art museum would provide a fabulous opportunity to showcase MAGNT’s outstanding art collection.
“In particular, our Aboriginal art and South-East Asian art collections,” he said.
“It will provide visitors with exciting opportunities to engage with some of Australia’s most prestigious public and private collections and will contribute to the richness and vibrancy of our amazing city.”
The building’s design will be ecologically sustainable, in line with the Territory government’s climate change target of zero net emissions by 2050, and “architecturally respectful of its culturally and historically significant surrounds, alongside the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory and Parliament House”.
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The 10-Year Museums Master Plan for Darwin and Palmerston, which was based on industry and stakeholder consultation, supported the establishment of an art gallery in Darwin’s CBD.
Member for Port Darwin, Paul Kirby, said projects such as the State Square art gallery were more important than ever.
“The project will help to revitalise Darwin’s city centre into a vibrant, tropical and green hub of cultural activity, creating new offerings with inspiring attractions for Territorians and visitors,” he said.
Originally published as Design tender awarded for Darwin CBD’s new State Square art gallery