MEDIA RELEASE
28th November 2023
Foundation presents $1.3 million cheque to the City of Newcastle for the Newcastle Art Gallery Expansion
Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation is celebrating the presentation of a $1.3 million cheque to the City of Newcastle today in a significant milestone towards its contribution to the expansion of Newcastle Art Gallery.
This milestone payment is drawn from the Art Gallery Redevelopment Fund, which consists of funds raised by the community over many years and held in trust by the Foundation on behalf of the City of Newcastle since 2013. Through careful investment by the Foundation, the Redevelopment Fund has grown from $1.0 million to $1.6 million.
Chair Susan Galwey said that while this is one payment in a $13 million target contribution by the Foundation to the Gallery expansion, today represents a special milestone.
“This cheque represents two decades of community passion, advocacy and fundraising for a world class gallery for Newcastle and the Hunter. In particular, community fundraising through the many Lady Mayoress Dinners led by Cathy Tate OAM and a dedicated organising committee along with support from local businesses and individual donors.”
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes accepted the Foundation’s cheque and said it was another milestone on the road towards the expansion of the Gallery.
“Since being established in 1977, the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation has played a valuable role in supporting the Gallery and the growth of its collection,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle will continue to work together with the Foundation as our shared dream for the Gallery becomes a reality through the long-awaited expansion, which will double its size and allow significantly more of its nationally significant collection to be displayed to the public each year.”
Director of Newcastle Art Gallery Lauretta Morton OAM acknowledged “This is such an important day in the history of our much-loved Art Gallery. As Director and a longstanding member of the Foundation, I have witnessed first-hand the impact of the fundraising efforts of the Foundation made possible through the incredible generosity of our community and donors over many years working together, to realise the modern Art Gallery that our city deserves.”
Long time advocate for the Gallery Expansion and wife of former Lord Mayor John Tate, Mrs Cathy Tate OAM said she was delighted to see the funds finally helping achieve this important project for the community.
“I am delighted that the Newcastle Art Gallery expansion is finally happening.
We are fortunate to have the best regional collection in Australia which will now have the home it deserves. Today I am delighted to hand over this cheque that embodies the support and determination of all who maintained the dream and raised funds to bring the expansion to life.”
Ms Galwey said the remaining $300,000 held in the Redevelopment Fund would be used in future payments as construction milestones were achieved.
She said the Foundation had so far secured philanthropic donations and pledges totalling $12 million with a further $1 million being sought to achieve its $13 million fundraising goal.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of huge step forward for arts and culture in Newcastle and the Hunter and I encourage the community to get involved as we move closer to the completion of construction, which is scheduled for late 2024.”
Donations to the Newcastle Art Gallery Expansion can be made on the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation website www.nagfoundation.org.au
Photo by Vivian Hayles
Image: Lauretta Morton OAM, Newcastle Art Gallery Director, Suzie Galwey, Chair Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation, Jeremy Bath, CEO, City of Newcastle, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Cr Declan Clausen, Deputy Lord Mayor and Cathy Tate OAM, Former Lady Mayoress.
Photo by Vivian Hayles
Photo by Vivian Hayles
Photo by Vivian Hayles
Photo by Vivian Hayles
Photo by Vivian Hayles
Photo by Vivian Hayles
Photo by Vivian Hayles
