Bendigo Art Gallery redevelopment

Bendigo Art Gallery has outgrown its current facilities. We require more storage space for our significant and expanding collection of works, and the continued success of our international exhibition program has meant we have outgrown our exhibition space.

The project will deliver a world-class learning centre for students, second-level blockbuster exhibition space, Traditional Owner Place of Keeping for Dja Dja Wurrung artefacts, expanded access to free and collection-based exhibitions, redeveloped restaurant with a City of Gastronomy offering, expanded commercial opportunities including pop-up blockbuster exhibition shop, accessible amenities and expanded public spaces.

Bendigo Gastronomy: City of Gastronomy

Architecture firms Jackson Clements Burrows and Clare Design have designed a contemporary, two-storey extension of the Gallery featuring a white exterior, referencing the white clay of the Bendigo region.

The façade will be etched with a pattern to be designed by a Dja Dja Wurrung artist, to be appointed at a later date. For now, the artist impressions show a placeholder design inspired by the chevron pattern on a Dja Dja Wurrung shield that has been repatriated and is held by the Gallery as a designated Dja Dja Wurrung Place of Keeping.

The ground floor will be reconfigured, noting the three 19th century galleries, Bolton Court, Drury Court and Abbott Court, are not part of the project and have been sympathetically included in the planned designs.

Jackson Clements Burrows website

Clare Design website

Subject to securing the required funds, we plan to start construction in the second half of 2025. Planning approval was received from the City of Greater Bendigo and Heritage Victoria in March 2024.

A further $21M in funding needs to be secured before construction can start, which is expected to be a mix of Federal Government and philanthropic funding.

By mid-October 2024, the City of Greater Bendigo and the Gallery will have applied to two different Federal Government funding programs – the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program and the Growing Regions Fund. In both instances the applications seek $15M in funding.

A further $6M is also being sought through philanthropy.

The project is estimated to cost $54M. Rising construction costs and inflation have impacted the project. This would be the City’s biggest infrastructure project to date and construction needs to start in 2025 so as not to incur further cost increases.

The State Government has committed $21M, the City of Greater Bendigo has committed $9M and the Bendigo Art Gallery Board has committed $3M.

A further $21M is required. By mid-October 2024, the City of Greater Bendigo and the Gallery will have applied to two different Federal Government funding programs – the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program and the Growing Regions Fund. In both instances the applications seek $15M in funding.

The City of Greater Bendigo and the Gallery will continue to focus their efforts on advocating for Federal funding and a further $6M is also being sought through philanthropy.

Until all funds are secured, it’s business as usual for us at the Gallery. Staff have secured all exhibition programming through until mid-2025.

Subject to funding being secured, when construction does start, the Gallery will need to close.

The project will involve large-scale construction, it will not be safe for staff to work from the site or patrons to visit, and our precious artwork will need to be stored offsite.

Gallery staff are planning a public program that allows residents and visitors to engage with the arts in other locations while the Gallery is closed. More information will be made available to the community at a later date, subject to funding being secured.

Yes, consultation has taken place with Traditional Owners and representatives from the education and disability sectors. Their feedback has informed designs of the building to ensure it is inclusive, accessible and the Gallery is able to enhance its strong education program that we already offer to schools across Greater Bendigo and central Victoria.

The designs have been endorsed by Heritage Victoria, as the planned expansion adjoins the existing 19th century galleries (it is important to note the 19th century galleries of Bolton Court, Drury Court and Abbott Court are not part of the project and have been sympathetically included in the planned designs).

Planning approval was received from the City of Greater Bendigo and Heritage Victoria in March 2024.

Yes. Memberships provide access to exhibition previews, discounted exhibition tickets, access to public programs and artist talks. Members are the first to receive event information and get a 10% discount in the Gallery shop (for purchases over $5).

Money paid via memberships also raises funds for the Bendigo Art Gallery Board, which goes towards the purchase of new artwork for the Gallery.

Bendigo Art Gallery: Become a Member

The Gallery is owned and operated by the City of Greater Bendigo. The Gallery is a key economic driver for Greater Bendigo and the wider region, and the second-most visited gallery in Victoria behind the National Gallery of Victoria.

For more than 20 years, the City of Greater Bendigo and local tourism industry has built its tourism brand around arts, culture and events.