Southern Grampians Shire Council has signed a partnership agreement with the prestigious Melbourne University
School of Design to advise on the New Hamilton Gallery project.
This will see some of Australia's best architects come together to advise on the project to ensure the creation of an
iconic, nationally significant building, and is the next step towards developing a design brief for tender.
The Melbourne Design School partners with major cultural institutions including the National Gallery of Victoria,
Museums Victoria and ACMI and are currently working on international projects such as Woven City Tokyo and the new
Melbourne Arts Precinct, MAP-co.
The key advisors will include Dr Rory Hyde, Associate Professor in Architecture, Curatorial Design and Practice, and
former Curator of Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London, and
former Advisor to the Mayor of London.
Dr Hyde believes the New Hamilton Gallery has the potential to be a regional leader with National significance.
"We see this project as an opportunity for Hamilton to be a national leader in regional art galleries where Council will have the chance to create something which is truly exciting, inclusive and ambitious."
Also bringing significant expertise to the project team is Professor Alan Pert, acclaimed architect and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, alongside Professor Dan Hill, Director of the Melbourne School of Design, and Melinda Heron, the University's Senior Business Development Manager.
This team of experts have worked with significant projects and global organisations, from the BBC to the Swedish
government's innovation agency, Vinnova and the University's new Fisherman's Bend campus opening in 2025.
Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Councillor David Robertson said the new gallery and larger scale CBD project
will rejuvenate cultural opportunities and enhance the civic life of the town by creating something unique for locals and
visitors.
"It's really special to have such high calibre experts advising on this project," said Cr Robertson.
"This partnership will guide us in developing a new gallery that will allow us to host nationally and internationally significant exhibitions, provide viewing and interactive opportunities for the entire Southern Grampians Community, as well as providing appropriate storage for our collection of over 9000 objects."
Cr Robertson said the creation of the design brief is one of the most important stages in a project's inception.
"This piece of work is crucial in ensuring the new building matches the quality and importance of our incredible collection.
The design brief sets the agenda for years ahead, through design, construction and operation," Cr Robertson concluded.
Council voted to build a New Hamilton Gallery on its current location as part of a broader CBD Revitalisation project at the November 2022 Council meeting.
