Bendigo Art Gallery expansion to put Central Vic on map

Forget gold mining, Bendigo is looking to a new cash cow with a multimillion-dollar proposal expected to attract artsy Melburnians and tourists from afar.

The art gallery expansion is being touted as a part of Bendigo’s Covid economic recovery plan, with the final project expected to generate more than $15 million.

A $28m gallery development aims to shift Victoria’s home of contemporary arts and culture to Central Victoria.

The City of Greater Bendigo is considering a proposal to create the “gallery for the people” in a development aimed at transforming the museum into one of Australia’s leading galleries.

Director Bendigo Art Gallery Jessica Bridgfoot, who co-authored the proposal to council, said the development would put the View St centre in the heart of Australia’s contemporary art scene.

“Bendigo Art Gallery has a vision to be one of Australia’s leading galleries, recognised for its work both domestically and internationally,” Ms Bridgfoot said.

Supplied Editorial Bendigo Art Gallery director Jessica Bridgfoot. Picture: Zizi Averill

“(It will) consolidate the Gallery’s position as an iconic contemporary arts destination and help drive cultural tourism and economic activity.”

Ms Bridgfoot said the expanded gallery would include a six additional gallery spaces including a “blockbuster” exhibition space, a new dedicated Dja Dja Wurrung cultural collection as a ‘Place of Keeping’ and a dedicated children and family’s section to inspire the next generation of creators.

The proposed development will expand the iconic arts space by an additional 700 sqm.

And no gallery would be complete without the gift shop, with the proposed development expanding the retail section and renovating the Rosalind Park cafe.

Ms Bridgfoot said the development would “contribute to the creative, cultural, social and economic success of Greater Bendigo and Victoria”.

The art gallery expansion is part of Bendigo’s Covid economic recovery plan, with the final project expected to generate more than $15m. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

The art gallery expansion is part of Bendigo’s Covid economic recovery plan, with the final project expected to generate more than $15m.

The proposal said when combined with the existing gallery operations the project was expected to deliver up to 95 construction jobs, and once open the gallery would generate between $1-3m in direct economic stimulus, 30 ongoing jobs and $2.5m in regional income.

Ms Bridgfoot said the new gallery could attract more visitors, with gallery ticket numbers expected to jump by 30 per cent.

Bendigo council has already received $280,000 in state government funding to prepare designs to get the project ‘shovel-ready’.

Council said the project, if approved, could be complete within three years.

But to get the go ahead the council would need to secure $21m from the state and federal governments.

The council would contribute $3m, with a further $2.5m from the Bendigo Art Gallery Board and $1.5m from philanthropic donations.

Council will consider the proposal on Monday October 18.