BY OLIVIA GOELDNER
A cheque for $1.3 million has been presented to Newcastle Council to assist with the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery.
The payment was drawn from the Art Gallery Redevelopment Fund, consisting of funds raised by various community donations over a decade, held by the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation on behalf of the City of Newcastle.
Closed for construction in January 2022, the Newcastle Art Gallery's long-awaited expansion is set to double its size, allowing more of its nationally-recognised collection to be displayed to the public.
Construction is expected to be completed at the end of 2024.
Upon accepting the cheque, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the development would not have been possible without the public's help.
"The committed could only be supported by very exceptional philanthropic donations that were a mixture of grassroots foundation funding that has occurred over the last decade."
Former Lady Mayoress Cathy Tate added, the expansion is a much-needed development.
"The best regional collection in Australia could not be denied an extended home; we've waited so long, but it is so wonderful to see the hoardings up and see the construction has started.
