Newcastle Art Gallery expansion reaches new heights

The expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery will reach new heights today with the installation of a 33 metre high hammerhead tower crane on site.

The crane will facilitate the next stage of the long-awaited Art Gallery Expansion project, which will more than double the size of the Gallery, modernising the facility into a fitting home for City of Newcastle's nationally significant $126 million collection.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes was pleased to see the main construction works progressing, bringing the community another step closer to a world class space for education and enjoyment of the arts.

"Due to its smaller size, the Gallery has only ever had the capacity to display around one percent of its amazing collection at any one time," Cr Nelmes said.

"The expanded Gallery will mean we can welcome many more people into the space and give our collection the home it deserves.

"The newly installed crane is a welcome albeit temporary addition to our city's skyline, and I am really pleased to see the construction activity forging ahead."

Once completed, the expansion project will deliver multiple exhibition spaces with the ground floor galleries dedicated to permanent collection display, a café, retail shop, multi-purpose program space, and a secure international standard loading dock.

The crane’s arrival followed the presentation on Tuesday of a $1.3 million cheque for the expansion to City of Newcastle from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation. The milestone payment is drawn from the Art Gallery Redevelopment Fund, which consists of funds raised by the community over many years and held in trust by the Foundation on behalf of the City of Newcastle since 2013.

Foundation Chair Suzie Galwey said the Foundation had so far secured philanthropic donations and pledges totalling $12 million for the expansion project, with a further $1 million being sought to achieve its $13 million fundraising goal.

“This cheque represents two decades of community passion, advocacy and fundraising for a world class gallery for Newcastle and the Hunter,” Ms Galwey said.

“It’s wonderful to celebrate this milestone payment alongside such exciting progress in the construction works and we look forward to seeing the expanded building continue to take shape.”

To celebrate the arrival of the crane, City of Newcastle is collaborating with Head Contractor Hansen Yuncken and a range of early learning providers in a family-friendly 'Name the Crane' colouring competition.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the fun competition would help spark interest in both the arts and construction amongst Newcastle's youngest students.

"The Gallery has long partnered with schools and pre-schools in the area to foster connections and creativity, so this seemed like a lovely way to continue this legacy while our programming has moved off-site," Ms Morton said.

Results of the competition, including the reveal of the crane's name, will be announced early next year.

The Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. A further $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation's public fundraising campaign.

The Regional Recovery Partnerships initiative seeks to broker connections between all levels of government to increase information flow, share technical expertise and strengthen regional development outcomes.