The biggest cultural infrastructure project in Australia will transform Melbourne’s creative precinct – attracting visitors, creating jobs and establishing vibrant new gardens and creative space in the heart of our city.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson visited the NGV today, whose grounds will be opened up to the public as part of the $1.4 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project Stage 1 – fully funded in yesterday’s Victorian Budget 2020/21.
A landmark new Gallery – NGV Contemporary – will be built behind the existing NGV on Southbank Boulevard, amidst a new 18,000 square-metre public garden in the heart of Melbourne Arts Precinct.
Melbourne architects HASSELL and New York practice SO-IL won the tender to design the new public garden and this work is well underway.
The garden will be vibrant, immersive and ever-changing, not only with the seasons but week-by-week as new plants bloom and cycle. While the design is not yet complete, the artist impressions released today provide a good sense of what visitors can expect from this unique new public space.
The public gardens will include a collection of spaces for performances, gathering, installations and festivals as well as providing a new green lung for Southbank – one of Australia’s most densely populated suburbs.
Introducing a new open public space of this size into the inner city will involve decking over Sturt Street between City Road and Southbank Boulevard.
The project also includes support for Arts Centre Melbourne to undertake upgrades at the Theatres Building, and will create more than 5,000 local construction sector jobs and help drive Victoria’s economic recovery.
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.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“This project will rejuvenate our creative heart, bringing visitors and energy back to Melbourne as we rebuild.”
“It will showcase the best of our creativity, create thousands of jobs and give people more open green space to relax and take in the best of our city.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson
“NGV Contemporary and the new 18,000 square metre public garden will transform our arts precinct into one of the most exciting creative and cultural destinations in the world.”
Quote attributable to NGV Director Tony Ellwood
“NGV Contemporary will be a dynamic cultural hub that all Victorians will be proud to call their own. It will present an unrivalled opportunity to showcase Australian and international art, design and architecture to the world.”
Quote attributable to Arts Centre Melbourne Chief Executive Claire Spencer
“This sets us firmly on a path to realise the long-held vision for a seamlessly connected arts precinct.”
Attribution: State Government of Victoria