An investment in the future of the Gallery and the region.
Bendigo Art Gallery is poised for a revolutionary transformation that will establish the Gallery as an international, world-class cultural facility for future generations.
The project will deliver ‘The People’s Gallery’ – an empowering place for the Bendigo and broader Victorian community focused on accessibility, education, shared economic benefit and celebrating our Traditional Owners.
About the project
The Gallery will be developed in two stages.
Stage one will deliver:
- Economic benefits - Enhanced visitor experiences including a dedicated second-floor gallery to host international exhibitions
- Traditional Owner recognition - Placemaking landscaping and a Place of Keeping and gallery space for Dja Dja Wurrung cultural materials
- Innovative learning centre - A learning studio, children's gallery and multipurpose theatre space
- Spaces for community - Accessibility, increased amenity and expanded public spaces
To visualise what stage one will look like, watch the flythrough video.
Stage two is subject to a successful Federal Government grant application for $15M and would deliver:
- Celebrating Australian artists – a dedicated second-floor gallery for Australian art, an additional 400m² of gallery space
- Focus on gastronomy – an elevated hospitality offering, featuring an improved café/restaurant incorporated into a redesigned sculpture annex and second-floor function facility and terrace.
Planned closure in November 2025
The Gallery is expected to remain open until November this year while the procurement process takes place.
Construction is expected to start early 2026 and take approximately two years to complete, with the aim of re-opening in early 2028.
The Bendigo Art Gallery Redevelopment is being developed by City of Greater Bendigo council in partnership with the Victorian Government through Regional Development Victoria and the Community Support Fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why redevelop the Gallery?
Bendigo Art Gallery has outgrown its current facilities. The continued success of our international exhibition program has caused us to outgrow our facilities, with no dedicated space for public gathering, learning and education, and during an international exhibition season there are minimal collection and free program offerings.
The Gallery is an important economic driver for Greater Bendigo and the wider region, so needs to expand to meet the growing needs of the community and visitors to remain competitive and engaging.
For more than 20 years, the City of Greater Bendigo and local tourism industry have built the local tourism brand around arts, culture and events. This project will establish the Bendigo Art Gallery as a world-class cultural destination for generations to come.
The proposed redevelopment will enable the Gallery to stage a bigger international exhibition program whilst also offering a multitude of free exhibitions, programs and learning for the community and visitors. The Gallery will have expanded Gallery spaces but also brand-new facilities, including a dedicated Place of Keeping, a major learning centre, theatre and children's gallery, as well as an internal public street linking View Street to Rosalind Park and accessible spaces throughout.
The Gallery redevelopment will be the largest civic infrastructure project delivered by the City of Greater Bendigo.
What will the redevelopment deliver?
The project will be delivered in two stages.
Stage one includes a second-level blockbuster exhibition space, an innovative learning centre, theatre and Traditional Owner Place of Keeping for Dja Dja Wurrung cultural materials.
Subject to funding, stage two includes a dedicated gallery for Australian art and an elevated hospitality offering, featuring an improved café/restaurant incorporated into a redesigned sculpture annex and second-floor function facility and terrace.
Why develop in two stages?
Stage two is subject to securing a Federal Government grant of $15M. An application was made to the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program in late 2024 and the Gallery and City are awaiting the outcome of the application.
Who designed the redevelopment?
Architecture firms Jackson Clements Burrows and Clare Design have designed a contemporary, two-storey extension of the Gallery, with the white exterior referencing the white clay of the Bendigo region.
The façade will be etched with a pattern to be designed by a Dja Dja Wurrung artist, to be announced at a later date. For now, the artist impressions show a placeholder design inspired by the chevron pattern on a Dja Dja Wurrung shield that has been repatriated and is held by the Gallery as a designated Dja Dja Wurrung Place of Keeping.
The ground floor will be reconfigured, noting the three 19th century galleries, Bolton Court, Drury Court and Abbott Court, are not part of the project however will receive some restoration and have been sympathetically included in the planned designs.
How much will it cost and how is it funded?
The stage one construction budget is $45M and is made up of $21M from the Victorian Government, $9M from the City of Greater Bendigo, $4M from the Gallery Board and $9.35M from philanthropic donations, and is enough for the project to proceed.
To make up the shortfall for stage one, the City intends to raise more philanthropic funds and undertake additional value management on the project as part of the procurement process.
All funds raised to date have been put towards construction, however if $15M in Federal funding is secured it would mean some of the already committed funds can be reallocated to future programming for the new gallery spaces.
When will construction start?
Construction is expected to start in early 2026.
Will the Gallery have to close during construction?
Yes. The Gallery is expected to close in November 2025 and reopen in early 2028.
The project will involve large-scale construction, so it will not be safe for staff to work from the site or patrons to visit, and artwork will need to be stored offsite.
Will the Gallery open at another site while construction takes place?
The Gallery is planning an exciting program of exhibitions to be delivered at offsite locations in Bendigo that will engage residents and attract visitors during the period of redevelopment. To stay up to date, visit www.bendigoregion.com.au/bendigo-art-gallery
Has there been any community consultation? Is Heritage Victoria involved?
Yes, consultation took place with Traditional Owners and representatives from the education and disability sectors. Their feedback informed the design of the building to ensure it is inclusive, accessible and the Gallery is able to enhance its strong education program that is already offered to schools across Greater Bendigo and central Victoria.
The designs have been endorsed by Heritage Victoria, as the planned expansion adjoins the existing 19th century galleries (it is important to note the 19th century galleries of Bolton Court, Drury Court and Abbott Court are not part of the project and have been sympathetically included in the planned designs).
Planning approval was received from the City of Greater Bendigo and Heritage Victoria in March 2024.
How can I support the project?
We warmly accept donations of any size in support of this landmark project.
