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Page Last Updated:
Thursday, 19 November 2009 |
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News>CITY UNVEILS DETAILED ARTS PRECINCT EXPANSION PLAN
| CITY UNVEILS DETAILED ARTS PRECINCT EXPANSION PLAN - 20/11/2009 |  Printer Friendly |
| The City of Greater Bendigo has unveiled an exciting phased development plan for the expansion and continued prosperity of Bendigo's View Street Arts Precinct and a vision for how it can be implemented.
The plan contains priorities, timelines, cost estimates for the next stages of the View Street Arts Precinct Masterplan which was first released in 2007.
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Kevin Gibbins said the first three stages of the detailed plan are expected to cost about $20 million and are a top priority for Council.
"However, we will need to work closely with the State and Federal Governments to secure funding to make this a reality."
"By preparing and releasing this plan Council is showing a strong commitment to expand the arts precinct and we want government and other organisations to join us in this journey and share this commitment with us," said Cr Gibbins.
He said the development plan sets out details to expand both Bendigo Art Gallery and The Capital Performing Arts Centre to include:
New galleries, cafe and retail space fronting View Street;
A new multi-purpose flexible 220-seat black-box theatre adjoining Dudley House;
Much needed storage and other improved back-of-house facilities at Bendigo Art Gallery and The Capital;
A consolidated, secure loading dock for both venues; and
Refitting of old galleries into education spaces at Bendigo Art Gallery.
"It's important to plan ahead as the current facilities at both Bendigo Art Gallery and The Capital are struggling to keep up with the demand for space from a growing local population and increasing visitor numbers. New facilities and spaces are needed to meet programming and storage requirements and safety and accessibility standards," said Cr Gibbins.
Some of the works contained in the masterplan have already taken place or are currently in progress including restoration of the Capital basement, installation of a new lift and air conditioning system and restoration of the Capital's heritage facade.
"The View Street Arts Precinct anchored by Bendigo Art Gallery and The Capital is the heart and soul of Bendigo's cultural life. The precinct is also a great drawcard for visitors as evidenced by the recent Golden Age of Couture and Archibald Prize exhibitions which attracted tens of thousands of people to Bendigo and a $15 million boost into the local economy.
"Each and every year the Gallery and the Capital contribute well over $20 million into the Greater Bendigo economy and community."
"Around the world cultural precincts are proving to be important civic investments that promote cultural and artistic activities and support the long term development of regions as creative economies and world cities."
"The ongoing redevelopment of View Street is crucial because it will bring many significant cultural, social and economic benefits to the region. It will also help cultivate the arts locally, better connect View Street, Rosalind Park and the CBD and build on Bendigo's growing reputation as a sophisticated major regional centre," said Cr Gibbins.
"This is an exciting plan for the Bendigo Arts Precinct which we are hoping will help secure funding from both State and Federal Governments and the philanthropic sector to achieve our vision for the future of this important precinct,"said Cr Gibbins.
Bendigo Art Gallery - Improvements and Expansions:
Two new galleries fronting View Street, providing highly sought after additional exhibition space to ensure the gallery can exhibit large international touring product;
At the lower level, fronting the View Street courtyard, the building will accommodate retail and cafe space to maximise revenue, and better activate and interact with View Street at the ground level;
New basement storage required to hold the gallery's large and growing collection;
New amenities for patrons on the ground floor;
Meeting space / Staff Room / Board Room for Friends of the Gallery, volunteers and management;
Three new galleries at the rear of the gallery to allow the gallery�¢??s permanent collections and local art to be presented concurrent to large international touring exhibitions, increasing return visitation;
The conversion of one existing gallery and the current cafe at rear of the building into education and workshop space;
New office space for the gallery�¢??s administrative functions; and A new secure, consolidated loading dock to provide loading capability for both the gallery and theatre.
The Capital - Improvements and Expansions:
A 220-seat theatre with a flexible "black box" style performance space of approximately 420 square metres. This would allow The Capital to develop and display alternative shows with a distinct community focus, and respond to the on-going international trend toward smaller scale touring theatre product;
The development of a back-of-stage, performers space or storage space to facilitate both the new black-box theatre and the Old Fire Station theatre;
A new foyer and waiting space for Dudley House, the new black-box theatre, and the Old Fire Station;
New studio spaces to support local artistic development and capacity building;
Long term possibility of the reinstatement of The Capital Theatre as a Community Recital Hall.
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