A $436,000 Brumby Labor Government grant will enable the upgrade of the Benalla Art Gallery, creating 15 new jobs and generating more tourism dollars for local businesses via major art exhibitions.
Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan today visited Benalla to announce the grant towards the $686,000 upgrade of the gallery, located in the heart of Victoria’s bushranger country and home to one of the State’s most spectacular and diverse regional art collections.
“Benalla Art Gallery attracts around 90,000 visitors a year, making it one of the most visited galleries in regional Victoria,” Ms Allan said.
“It is a striking modernist building, but having been built in the 1970s, much of its environmental control system no longer meets expected standards, putting the collection and the Gallery’s exhibitions program at risk.
“This new funding from our Regional Infrastructure Development Fund will improve the building in multiple ways.”
Ms Allan said the upgrade involved the installation of a new climate control system, energy and water saving initiatives including re-use of water and solar power, and additional measures such as air locks that improve the gallery’s climate.
“We understand regional and rural communities are proud of their cultural icons, such as local artists, and that’s why we’ve committed to upgrading the Benalla Art Gallery,” she said.
“This upgrade will enrich the gallery with more travelling exhibits from major arts institutions and cement its place as a spectacular local tourism icon.
“The development will also provide flow-on benefits to nearby traders by increasing patronage and use of the venue, and add cultural value for visitors, patrons and residents.”
Ms Allan said Brumby Labor Government funding for the project would be provided through the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) to Benalla Rural City Council.
“Cultural facilities strengthen local and regional identity, create a more active community, and deliver benefits from tourism, arts activity, skills development and employment,” she said.
“To date the RIDF has committed $22 million towards 11 major arts and cultural projects in regional Victoria worth $45.5 million.”