$1.3 Million Gifted to Council For Newcastle Art Gallery Expansion

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. 

Calls for Artists to Beautify Construction Site

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Local artists could have their work temporarily displayed around the Newcastle Art Gallery. 

Council has issued a nation-wide call for four new works to be displayed on the hoarding fencing around the site, as it undergoes construction work for a much-anticipated expansion. 

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the works will give residents an idea of what's to come for the gallery. 

"Given the site's prominent location in the heart of the city, the construction hoarding project offers a unique opportunity for established or emerging artists to reach new audiences, while also improving the external view of the work zone." 

Construction is set to kick off the middle of this year, with local artists encouraged to submit an expression of interest, released by the gallery yesterday.

The Lord Mayor said, "the expansion will provide greater access to our nationally significant collection and a wider range of prominent exhibitions." 

"In the meantime, it's important to give our community as many avenues as possible to stay connected with the Newcastle Art Gallery," she said. 

The chosen works of art will be digitally reproduced for display on the construction site.

Newcastle Emerging Art Prize Broadens its Horizons

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The Newcastle Emerging Art Prize has broadened its horizons, with the introduction of a new name and new categories. 

The competition now known as the Hunter Emerging Art Prize, is celebrating its 20th anniversary by honouring the talent of artists from across the region. 

Emerging artists living in the LGA's of Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Mid Coast, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton and the Upper Hunter were welcome to enter this year. 

With over 200 applicants this year, the highest number ever received for this competition, Business Manager at the Newcastle Art Space, Leah Fawthrop, said she felt the new name was more welcoming for local artists. 

"We've always offered the Prize to the Hunter, but I think this reflects it better," she said. 

In addition to a new name, this year has also seen the introduction of two new categories; the Youth Prize and Experimental Art category.

Ms Fawthrop said the introduction of the Youth Prize was made possible with the support of the Squires family, in recognition of the late Jody Robinson's contribution to art education in the Hunter.

"Jody was an art teacher and an art leader. She was very much a mentor for young artists, and she was a passionate believer in supporting young artists."

The winners of the Hunter Emerging Art Prize will be announced at the exhibition opening from 6-8pm on the 26th of February 2022.

Image: Museums and Galleries of NSW

Art Gallery Loan Stirs Dissent in Newcastle Council Chambers

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle Council will seek an almost $23 million dollar loan to fund the Newcastle Art Gallery expansion, despite opposition from Independent councillors.

Six Labor councillors and the Greens' John Mackenzie backed Tuesday night's motion to pursue a 10 year loan with the Treasury Corporation, but Independents and sole Liberal Brad Luke opposed the move.

Cr John Church said ratepayers deserved to provide feedback on the plans, and other approaches to funding should have been considered beforehand. 

"The decision last night, I think was rushed," Cr Church said. "We didn't give the community a chance to say whether they want the council to take out a 10 year loan of nearly $23 million dollars." 

"And we didn't ask the second question - if we do want that money, is the Art Gallery the community's priority project?" 

Cr Church also suggested an incremental approach to the works with the money currently available could prompt State or Federal investment.

But Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes shot down the possibility, saying Cr Church's comments demonstrated "complete ignorance" about capital works projects.

"You cannot stage this project," Cr Nelmes said. "Instead of being a project that costs around $35 million dollars, staging it is likely to double."

The Newcastle Art Gallery also endorsed the move, citing historically low interest rates.

Cr Nelmes said it was a vote of confidence in arts and tourism.

"It has been on the books for over 16 years and there has been no State or Federal Government funding that is forthcoming," Cr Nelmes said.

"There is a pathway to ensuring this project is delivered for our community, at a very low cost to ratepayers, at 0.88 of a percent." 

Cr Church maintained the council was putting "the cart before the horse".

"The community should have been asked the question and had a chance to have their say prior to Labor rushing this decision," Cr Church said.

Image credit: www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au