FAQs
Where will the new Hamilton Gallery be built?
The site for the new Hamilton Gallery will be an extension of the current location on Brown Street in the Hamilton CBD. The footprint will expand across the current Hamilton Library, Cinema and Council Customer Service buildings.
A technical and spatial assessment determined the existing location to be the most feasible as it would cost substantially less to construct whilst interconnecting with the center of the town. During Co-Design the community reiterated that the New Gallery must form a cultural precinct and connect with the library, digital hub and Performing Arts Centre.
How much will the new building cost?
In June 2024, Council endorsed a capped $10m contribution within the long-term financial plan to the construction of the building with Council seeking a further $20m from the state government, $10m from the Federal government and $30m from private donors.
Why is a new Hamilton Gallery needed?
The Hamilton Gallery has quite a large and significant art collection that due to building size, is restricted with what can be on display at any one time.
We are also fortunate to have one of the largest first nations collection of Gundjitmara objects on country.
With over 9,000 items collected across the last 60 years, our pieces have cultural and historical significance not only to the Southern Grampians, but on a national level.
The collection’s unique strengths are most notable within the Decorative Arts, European, Australian and Asian Art collection areas, including a rare collection of 18th Century gouache and watercolour landscapes by Paul Sandby.
The calibre of the collection is demonstrated by the Gallery's recent loans of artworks to Mona, the National Gallery of Australia, and the Art Gallery of South Australia.
The community expressed a desire for a new Gallery in the early 2000s. We also know that during the exhibition Emerging From Darkness (EFD), which drew crowds from across the country, the economic impact to the community was extremely beneficial. EFD resulted in an increased visitor spend of over $1m per month, a new gallery would achieve similar results consistently.
What role did the Melbourne University have in the process?
A partnership was developed with the University of Melbourne to create three pieces of work to inform the tender; a strategic brief, procurement pathway and functional brief.
How do I give feedback on the concept designs?
You can give feedback through online here, or via email info@hamiltongallery.org or you can also submit feedback in person at the Hamilton Gallery front desk.
When was the community consulted?
The community engaged with the Gallery team and the University of Melbourne to collaboratively develop the NHG tender pack. This occurred from May 2023 until December 2023.
Angelo Candalepas & Associates were appointed in September 2024 and ran 21 Co-Design sessions from December 2024 to March 2025 to help inform the design of the new gallery.
Now, from 4 June to 20 June the final concept designs are on public display and there is an opportunity to provide feedback.
Where will other Council services be housed once the Gallery takes over the current spaces?
The hub that is located on Lonsdale Street will facilitate the Greater Hamilton Library, Digital Hub, Council offices and other government services. The cinema is being considered for inclusion in the Performing Arts Centre. There will be a town square joining the Hub, Performing Arts Centre and Gallery to create a town centre and cultural precinct.