Art gallery upgrade gets underway

WORK was set to begin last month on critical upgrades to the Art Gallery of Ballarat.

The gallery was closed in March last year, and statutory approvals were required before updated designs were completed and builder S.J. Weir was appointed.

It is expected the works will be completed in mid-2027.

S.J Weir will begin roof works and mechanical upgrades.

There are several other stages of work as part of the upgrade.

The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system will be replaced to meet international museum standards. This would allow the gallery to acquire international loans.

Freight and passenger lifts will be replaced. Switchboards will be upgraded. LED lighting will be used in historic skylights. This would allow more artworks on paper to be shown.

Linings will be installed in the gallery’s heritage walls. The lining would increase the capacity to hang more artwork in permanent collection displays.

City of Ballarat mayor Tracey Hargreaves said all those involved in the upgrade were working to re-open the gallery as soon as possible.

“It is crucial that we effectively carry out all aspects of the project to ensure the gallery remains a much-loved asset for many generations to come,” she said.

“There are always challenges when upgrading heritage buildings that are more than 130 years old, so ensuring that the planning and design were meticulously carried out was important and now the exciting work is getting under way.”

Gallery director Louise Tegart said: “The building works will allow ambitious exhibitions and new acquisitions to be seen at the Art Gallery of Ballarat for the first time.”

More information at artgalleryofballarat.com.au.