The State Premier and Minister for the Arts have jointly welcomed the start of work on the Sydney Modern Project at the Art Gallery NSW in the Domain.
Premier, Gladys Berejiklian said the expansion would almost double the gallery space, enabling more of the State’s art collection to go on show as well as making the facility better able to host more exhibitions from around Australia and the world.
“The Sydney Modern Project is a major public investment that will enrich the cultural life of our State and deliver economic benefits for generations to come,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The $344 million expansion will create an international art destination in one of the world’s most beautiful cultural precincts for everyone to enjoy,” she said.
“Gallery visitor numbers are expected to increase to at least two million people a year.”
Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin said the Gallery’s new building, designed by Pritzker-prize winning architects SANAA, would be an architectural and cultural landmark.
“One of the highlights of the expansion will be a prominent destination for the Gallery’s internationally renowned collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art,” Mr Harwin said.
President of the Art Gallery of NSW Board of Trustees, David Gonski thanked the NSW Government and donors for their support.
