Victorian 2020/21 Budget allocates $1.46 billion for Arts Precinct transformation

The 2020/21 Victorian Budget’s $1.46 billion for the Arts Precinct transformation and cultural sector aims to assist in the state’s recovery from the COVID-19 shutdown and restrictions and to sustain and maintain some of Victoria’s best-known cultural institutions.

However, only $491 million of the $1.46 billion total for the precinct has been formally budgeted for the next four years.

The most ambitious project identified in the 2020/21 budget is the transformation of Melbourne’s Arts Precinct, home to the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Southbank Theatre, Buxton Contemporary and other organisations and venues.

More than $1.46 billion has been allocated for the first phase of the Arts Precinct's redevelopment, including the construction over several years of NGV Contemporary – billed as the country’s largest gallery presenting local and international contemporary art, design and fashion – for domestic and international audiences.

NGV Contemporary will be built on the site of the former Carlton and United Breweries Building on Southbank Boulevard. $150 million was provided in the 2018/19 budget to purchase the site. A competition to select an Australian architectural team to design the new gallery is expected to be launched soon.

Phase One of the Arts Precinct’s transformation also includes the creation of a new 18,000metre2 immersive public garden – currently being designed by Melbourne architects HASSELL and New York practice SO-IL - in which NGV Contemporary will be set.

NGV Director Tony Ellwood has welcomed the budget announcement and the advancement of plans for NGV Contemporary thanking Premier Andrews and the Victorian Government for their “incredible commitment to building Australia’s largest gallery of contemporary art and design and creating an indelible cultural legacy for all Victorians.

“NGV Contemporary will be a place for our community to experience the world’s best contemporary art and design in the heart of Melbourne’s new and revitalised arts precinct.”

Commenting on the budget Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews noted “we are Australia’s cultural capital. This project will make our number one position permanent. The Melbourne Arts Precinct is a generational project that will bring people to our state and support jobs now and for decades to come. It’s a game changer.”

Treasurer Tim Pallas who promised construction of the new arts precinct would be underway by 2022 added "it will draw an extra three million visitors each year.”

The second phase of the project will open up significant public space in the Southbank Arts Precinct and connect the new gallery to Arts Centre Melbourne and NGV International on St Kilda Road, Southbank Boulevard, Sturt Street, and to the Yarra.

Later phases of the Melbourne Arts Precinct project include a new Centre for Creativity. The Centre will be run by Arts Centre Melbourne with spaces and facilities for Victoria’s small to medium and independent arts sector, a new performing arts gallery and an expanded Australian Music Vault.

The 2020/21 Victorian Budget also includes $34.7 million for regional creative infrastructure projects and as reported in ArtsHub this funding will not be for individual artists and arts organisations in regional and remote Victoria, even though some of these will benefit from the $9 million boost to the Creative Industries Survival Package.

ArtsHub also report that there will be no funding allocated for the upgrade of existing performing arts centres owned and operated by regional councils across the state.

However, funding will create a new exhibition space in Kyneton at the old primary school, support upgrades to Benalla Art Gallery, and further investment in the Castlemaine Goods Shed, Shepparton Art Museum, Latrobe Creative Precinct and more.

Victorian Arts Minister Danny Pearson commented “These projects will make sure more Victorians can enjoy all the things that make life great – and all the things we’ve missed so much.”

Regional Arts Victoria Executive Director, Joe Toohey has welcomed the budget’s investment in the regions and told ArtsHub “It’s great to see investment in a number of exciting creative infrastructure in a number of Victoria’s regions, from the Mallee to the La Trobe Valley, Benalla to Ballarat.”

The Victorian Government is also ensuring Victoria’s screen industry recovers from COVID-19, with an investment of more than $21 million - the package being part of the $33.8 million announced in mid-November.

The Budget also provides $19.8 million in capital and operational funding to help state-owned cultural institutions and venues recover, adapt and meet the challenges ahead. This includes projects to make venues COVIDSafe and enable them to present outdoor events and performances.

A further $24 million will go to the upkeep of Victoria’s state-owned cultural venues, supporting these institutes for generations to come.

Image top: Artist Impression Aerial view of the redeveloped Melbourne Arts Precinct from Southbank Boulevard facing north. Credit: HASSELL + SO-IL

Image: Artist Impression of the new 18,000 metre2 public garden facing south. Credit: HASSELL + SO-IL