The National Gallery of Victoria will receive a $8.5m boost from the Victorian Government to help its upcoming summer season of blockbuster art.
Minister for the Arts Heidi Victoria said that $4.5m will distributed over the next two years focussing on a new summer season of major exhibitions.
Starting in November, the NGV summer series will proceed with Melbourne Now – featuring local contemporary artists billed as their most ambitious exhibition to date.
“This exhibition will shine a bright light on our local creative talent – from art and design, to architecture, music, film and fashion; and will include a major component for children, with specially-commissioned interactive projects throughout, as well as state-wide programming,” said Ms Victoria.
Four million will also be allocated to the NGV to renew its gallery spaces at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia and NGV International.
NGV director Tony Ellwood said this significant economic boost would have an enormous impact on the NGV's upcoming projects.
“Our vision for the NGV is to enhance the experience for all our visitors. By introducing NGV Summer as a major annual event and achieving major improvements across both NGV sites, we will be able to engage with Victorians in new and interesting ways.
“Melbourne Now will be a major summer event for this city. It is the largest and most ambitious contemporary art exhibition the NGV has ever staged and this financial boost will further assist us in realising our goals,” said Mr Ellwood.
