The Newcastle Art Gallery and the Hunter Medical Research Institute will benefit from the largest bequest in the Hunter's history.
Former Newcastle ballet store owner, Valerie Ryan died in November last year aged 94.
In her will she bequeathed $10 million each to the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation and the HMRI.
Newcastle Council says the legacy will be held in trust by the foundation and dedicated to the gallery's collection or the building-expansion project.
Council set aside $7 million dollars in 2012 towards what was in 2013 estimated as a $21 million project after initial estimates were downsized from $30 million. A federal grant was obtained for $7 million but the proposed expansion hit a sang in 2013 when the state government refused to match the federal funds and the money had to be returned.
Since then, the projected cost of the project has ballooned, with estimates topping $45 million dollars in January 2019. Council now estimates the project will cost $36 million.
It's now hoped the bequest will provide fresh incentive for the state and federal governments to fund the expansion to provide more storage and exhibition space for the 6,750 works of art in the gallery's collection
Meanwhile the HMRI plans to use its $10 million share of the bequest to fund research into cancer, dementia and stroke.
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| The late Valerie Ryan bequeathed $10 million each to the HMRI and Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation Picture: therherald.com.au |
