In what will be the largest-ever civic infrastructure project and a landmark project for the City of Greater Bendigo, the $45m redevelopment of the Bendigo Art Gallery will include a second level blockbuster exhibition space, a learning centre, theatrette and a Traditional Owner Place of Keeping for Dja Dja Wurrung cultural materials.
The project has been made possible due to a $21m commitment from the Victorian Government, $9m from the City of Greater Bendigo and $4m from the Bendigo Art Gallery Board. A philanthropic campaign led by the Gallery and a fundraising committee chaired by Andrew Myer AM, has raised a total of $9.35m to date.
Two of Australia’s most respected philanthropic foundations – the Sydney Myer Fund and the Ian Potter Foundation – have contributed $4m and $3m respectively, together with a number of private donors. Arts philanthropist Dr Mark Nelson has also pledged $1.5m to the project.
The Redevelopment is expected to begin in early 2026 and will take approximately two years to complete, with the aim of re-opening in early 2028, and will contemporise the external facade and internal gallery spaces whilst retaining the historic and iconic features of the original building design, including the Abbott, Bolton and Drury Courts.
The ground floor will feature a dedicated gallery space for the display of the Gallery’s contemporary Australian and First Nations collections and entry will be FREE. A new International Gallery will be housed on the first floor across 1,000 square metres, and will host ticketed blockbuster exhibitions like Elvis: Direct from Graceland and Frida Kahlo: In her own Image.
The Gallery has worked in close partnership with Traditional Owners, the Dja Dja Wurrung people, to co-design elements of the building including the building facade. The redevelopment will provide a purpose-built Place of Keeping for all Dja Dja Wurrung cultural artefacts, including 20 repatriated from the Burke Museum in 2018, with opportunities for display and interpretation.
A new Learning Centre will include a dedicated foyer, children’s art studio, workshop space and theatrette located on the ground floor of the Gallery, allowing the Gallery to welcome more groups from rural and remote schools.
An interactive Children’s Gallery will be open to the community seven days a week – it will be a family friendly and accessible environment for hands-on making sessions where children can happily participate directly with art.
Bendigo Art Gallery Director Jessica Bridgfoot said the redevelopment will be transformative for Bendigo and will establish the Gallery as a world class destination. “This is an exciting next chapter in the history of our esteemed Gallery,” said Bridgfoot.
“Our goal is to deliver a world-class destination that honours the Gallery’s founding motto, “Art for the People”, when it was established 138 years ago. Our central focus is to increase participation in creativity and culture and to create a space that is inspirational and welcoming to all, for now, and for generations to come.”
During the closure, the Gallery team will organise a series of off-site events, the first of which is a unique collaboration with Bendigo’s much-loved Discovery Science and Technology Centre. CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO® Bricks – a groundbreaking exhibition launched at Canberra’s National Science and Technology Centre, opens on 3 March 2026.
The exhibition was designed and built by LEGO® Certified Professional Ryan ‘Brickman’ McNaught and his highly skilled team of LEGO® brick model builders and craftspeople, and is an exploration of scientific knowledge, technological advancements, engineering feats and mathematical puzzles, recreated in stunning detail with the wonders of LEGO.
CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO® Bricks blends imagination, learning and endless possibilities – from colonising Mars to crafting infinite 6-brick duck combinations. Visitors can travel to the furthest reaches of the galaxy, witness the wonderous patterns of the natural world and explore the very building blocks of the universe.
CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO® Bricks is the first in a series of off-site events and exhibitions organised by the Gallery while it is closed. Bendigo Art Gallery Director Jessica Bridgfoot said further details of future off-site programs will be announced in the New Year.
“Bendigo Art Gallery is one of the oldest and most visited regional galleries in Australia, generating significant impacts on local businesses and the Bendigo economy, and we will continue to launch new exhibitions and cultural events across Bendigo while the Gallery is closed,” said Bridgfoot.
CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGO® Bricks opens Tuesday 3 March and runs until Sunday 29 November 2026 at Discovery Science & Technology Centre.Entry to the exhibition is included with general admission to the Discovery Centre.
For more information about the Bendigo Art Gallery redevelopment, visit: www.bendigoregion.com.au for details.
Image: Bendigo Art Gallery redevelopment (render)