Sydney modern takes another step forward
11 September 2019
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for
the Arts Don Harwin today announced that
Richard Crookes Constructions
has been selected as the contractor to build the Art Gallery of
NSW’s
Sydney Modern Project, which remains firmly on track to be delivered
within its $344 million budget.
“The Sydney Modern Project will offer outstanding arts and cultural
experiences to the
community and visitors from across the world,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The Sydney Modern Project will almost double the current gallery space
to show more of the State’s art collection, including more Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander artworks, as well as hosting major
international exhibitions.”
Mr Harwin said the Sydney Modern Project, designed by Pritzker
Prize-winning architects
SANAA, is expected to increase gallery
visitation to two million people a year and inject more than $1 billion
into the NSW economy over 25 years. “The project will create a series of
interlocked pavilions that step down towards Woolloomooloo and Sydney
Harbour, following the natural topography of the land,” Mr Harwin said.
A decommissioned WWII naval oil tank, underground next to the Eastern
Distributor, will be transformed into a unique contemporary art space.
The Sydney Modern Project will also include an outdoor Art Garden to
connect the new and existing gallery buildings, a new entry plaza,
rooftop art terraces and space for research and education.
“The
NSW Government sincerely thanks the generous philanthropists who
have raised more than $100 million to make this project possible,” Mr
Harwin said.
President of the Art Gallery of New South Wales Board of Trustees, David
Gonski A said: “This is an exciting time for the state’s leading art
museum as we move closer to realising our compelling vision for the
future.”
“We are truly grateful for the NSW Government’s foresight in making such
a significant public investment in the arts, and the very generous
donors who have pledged support for the new building."
Art Gallery of New South Wales director Dr Michael Brand said: “I
welcome the announcement of Richard Crookes Constructions as the
selected contractor for the Sydney Modern Project.”
“We look forward to the next stage of the project that will bring
physical form to SANAA’s magnificent design. We are creating an
extraordinary building that will transform our institution and the way
visitors engage with art.”
Construction of the Sydney Modern Project is expected to commence in the
coming months and be complete in 2022.
--ENDS--
Source: NSW Government - www.infrastructure.nsw.gov.au
Contact: N/A
External Links: N/A
Recent news by: NSW Government