Australian Museum (supplied).
Australian Museum upgrade gets green light, Arts Review, 5 March 2019
New South Wales Arts Minister Don Harwin has announced the Australian Museum’s $57.5 million redevelopment has received planning approval. The Museum’s collection and storage space will be transformed into state-of-the-art exhibition facilities, thanks to the major upgrades.
The redevelopment will enable the Australian Museum to host major international touring exhibitions and provide improved school group access, amenities, expanded and upgraded educational facilities, a new Members’ Lounge, a new retail store and additional food service amenities.
“The Australian Museum is one of Australia’s great cultural institutions and this planning approval is a critical step in ensuring the Museum has the space needed to exhibit its world-class collections and continue to attract the best international exhibitions,” said Minister Harwin.
“Project Discover will contribute towards the growth of Sydney as an internationally-renowned arts and cultural destination. I’m also thrilled that the first exhibition in the new space will be the exclusive blockbuster Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh, opening in early 2021.”
Founded in 1827, the Australian Museum is the nation’s first museum and is an internationally recognised natural science and culture institution focused on Australia and the Pacific. As custodian of more than 19 million objects, the AM is uniquely positioned to provide a greater understanding of the region through its scientific research, exhibitions and public and education programs.
The NSW Government has appointed leading architects to design the project. Construction of the museum upgrade is anticipated to commence in June 2019, with completion expected in October 2020. For more information, visit: www.australianmuseum.net.au for details.
