Bega Valley Regional Gallery upgrade
The redevelopment and expansion of the Bega Valley Regional Gallery was completed in full in June 2024 and the gallery was renamed the South East Centre for Contemporary Art.
Project Summary/background
The redevelopment and expansion of the the Bega Valley Regional Gallery (BVRG) was completed in full in June 2024 and the gallery was renamed the South East Centre for Contemporary Art.
The gallery is the only publicly funded art gallery in South East NSW.
The redevelopment has elevated the 30-year-old facility to contemporary exhibition standards and significantly expand the exhibition space from 180m² to 290m². A new storage facility in line with contemporary museum standards and a significant addition to the facility forecourt, making it more useable for the community also makes up the project.
Council has worked with Sibling Architecture to complete the design and construction of the new gallery.
Purpose
The redeveloped Gallery has two exhibition spaces and one workshop/project space available for hire and house a small gallery shop, providing:
- an additional 201sqm of gallery space to the existing 181sqm
- industry standard environmental control within gallery and storage space
- an additional 36sqm of storage space for the gallery’s historic and growing contemporary collection
- a dedicated multipurpose workshop/project space for community art groups
- space to deliver high quality educational and access programs for school students, art enthusiasts, professional artists and the broader community.
It has allowed for access to a wider selection of borrowing institutions, particularly the Art Gallery of NSW, as well as showcasing local exhibition artists and providing capacity to host destination exhibitions and unique artistic programming.
The project represents an all-round positive return on investment for the Bega Valley community. This has been estimated at $3.4million annually.
Besides the obvious social and cultural benefits, the larger Gallery will generate significant economic benefits through increased tourist visitation and the additional expenditure that flows from that, to accommodation, cafes and restaurants and other tourist attractions.
There will also be localised benefits, which include increased participation in cultural activities, better mental health and wellbeing, community cohesion and improved educational outcomes.
Funding
Council was successful in securing half of the $3.578 million price tag for the project through the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.
For information on the Gallery's philanthropy prospectus and to see how you can support the gallery, visit secca.com.au
SECCA
Showcasing & promoting excellence in Australian contemporary visual culture.
SECCA is located in the South East corner of New South Wales, half way between Australia’s two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne and three hours’ drive from the nation’s capital, Canberra.
Visit the SECCA
Who can I speak to:
Andrew Foster
Project Manager
Phone: 02 6499 2222
Email: afoster@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
Timeline of works
Connection to Council's Community Strategic Plan
This project is connect to Council's Community Strategic Plan through:
- Outcome 1: Active and Healthy Communities
We are cooperative, caring and enjoy a culturally rich lifestyle - Outcome 2: Employment and Learning Opportunities
Our economy is prosperous, diverse and supported by innovative and creative businesses.
Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.
News and Updates
© Bega Valley Shire Council 2024
Our council websites
Contact Us
- 02 6499 2222
- council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
-
Zingel Place
PO Box 492
Bega NSW 2550 -
Monday to Friday 9.00AM to 4.30PM
Administration building Zingel Place Bega
Australia -
ABN: 26 987 935 332
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