Victoria’s regional galleries given financial support for upgrades and touring exhibitions

Expanded access to art in regional Victoria is being supported by the State Government through the $4 million Regional Collections Access Program initiative – enabling upgrades to galleries and touring exhibitions.

The initiative will support 36 museums, galleries and cultural organisations, funding capital works to enable them to attract touring exhibitions, borrow and display prominent artworks and better care for their collections.

It means more visitors and stronger futures for much-loved institutions with flow-on benefits for local businesses in regional areas.

The funding is a game-changer for regional arts destinations such as Hamilton Gallery which will receive almost $550,000 to upgrade its facilities.

Hamilton Gallery will improve lighting and climate control to allow for better access to its collection and to host touring exhibitions from other museums and galleries – including the National Gallery of Victoria.

Spanning regional Victoria, funding recipients include Gippsland’s National Vietnam Veterans Museum and the Swan Hill Art Gallery which will both increase their storage and display capacity, while Warrnambool Art Gallery will enhance exhibition lighting to allow a greater range of works to be shown.

Mornington Peninsula Gallery will use its funding to transform an under-utilised space into a new collection store and research lab, providing visitors with a behind-the-scenes look at the gallery’s operations.

The Regional Collections Access Program is administered through Regional Arts Victoria, in partnership with Creative Victoria, Australian Museums and Galleries Association Victoria, Public Galleries Association of Victoria and the National Gallery of Victoria.

Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson notes “Victoria’s regional galleries and museums are among the best in the country, attracting tourists and jobs to vibrant cities and towns while preserving and showcasing precious cultural artefacts.

“This funding will help attract more touring exhibitions to regional Victoria and introduce more people to our incredible regional collections.”

NGV Director Tony Ellwood adds “The Regional Collections Access Program will help care for regional cultural collections while also supporting ongoing access into Victoria’s unique regional museum network from major lending institutions like the NGV.”

To see a full list of recipients, visit creative.vic.gov.au/rcap.

Image top: Hamilton Gallery Credit: Southern Grampians Shire Council; Image above: Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery Credit: Visit Mornington Peninsula Hamilton Gallery