Construction of the Rockhampton Museum of Art building has come to a close and to mark the milestone Council today hosted a first glimpse inside the legacy project.
The Rockhampton Museum of Art has received funding from all levels of government, and is set to open its doors in early 2022.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the $36 million Rockhampton Museum of Art has been funded with $15 million through the Queensland Government's Building Our Regions program and through Arts Queensland investment.
"Queensland Government's support in this critical cultural infrastructure in Rockhampton is delivering the state's plan for economic recovery from COVID-19, creating jobs for local tradies and supporting local businesses and local suppliers," the Deputy Premier said.
"Funding through the Building our Regions projects are designed to create and sustain long-term employment in regional Queensland and this new Rockhampton Museum of Art will do just that when it opens in early 2022."
Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said this exciting new gallery delivers on the Queensland Government's investment and support of the arts sector in regional communities, showcasing Queensland artists, sharing our stories and highlighting the important role of cultural infrastructure.
"The economic boost and employment opportunities of this key development project goes beyond the construction industry to include the arts sector and broader Rockhampton region and will continue to grow Queensland's creative future," Minister Enoch said.
"Thanks to Queensland's positive health response and the release of Queensland's COVID Vaccination Plan to Unite Families, the Rockhampton Museum of Art will be in a strong position to support cultural tourism and welcome interstate and international visitors when the Gallery opens," Minister Enoch said.
Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said the Australian Government was proud to contribute $10 million in funding to the project which supported local businesses who provided goods and services throughout the construction.
"The project constructed a three-storey Art Gallery within the new Cultural Precinct in Rockhampton's CBD, allowing the Art Gallery to better showcase and preserve its nationally significant collection, including artworks by Arthur Boyd and Sidney Nolan," Ms Landry said.
"The Rockhampton Museum of Art consists of a lower gallery exhibition space, upper-level gallery, three education and access spaces, a retail shop, a restaurant/café and landscaping.
"The funding provided for the relocation of the Rockhampton Museum of Art to a new location which will now form part of the Cultural Precinct, connecting heritage elements such as Customs House with contemporary art and culture.
"The project supported 115 jobs during construction and will create another approximately 200 ongoing jobs."
Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said it is fantastic to reach this stage of delivering the new Rockhampton Museum of Art.
"Our community has had a front row seat as this building has been constructed right in the heart of our CBD," said Mayor Williams.
"There have been over 900 tradespeople involved over the life of this project – from demolition of the previous buildings to the completion of all building works.
"It's been a huge project, but walking through the building it's clear that it has absolutely been worth it. There is so much potential here for our community, and at the moment this building offers an incredible blank canvas.
"Over the next few months we'll move in one of the most significant regional collections of Australian modern art, and prepare to open the doors of this major arts hub to our community early next year.
"This project is a credit to what we can deliver for our community when all three levels of government work together."
Rockhampton Museum of Art is funded by the Australian Government through the Building Better Regions Fund; the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and through the Building Our Regions program; and Rockhampton Regional Council.
