The NSW Government has announced that design and fashion will be at the forefront of the Powerhouse Ultimo transformation with a commitment to adapt one of Australia’s most revered museums.
NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said the fresh investment in Powerhouse Ultimo would be another significant investment into cultural infrastructure for the State and a coup for the creative sector.
“Our investment in transforming Powerhouse Ultimo alongside establishing the Powerhouse Parramatta cements Sydney as Australia’s leading cultural destination,” said Mr Harwin.
“The updated Powerhouse Ultimo will provide new support to the NSW design and creative industries through skills development, pathways into employment and supported studios and workspaces.”
“Iconic Powerhouse Museum pieces including the Boulton and Watt Engine, Locomotive No.1 and the Catalina Flying Boat will remain at Ultimo.”
“The Powerhouse Museum’s Collection has incredible breadth, telling the great stories of design from the industrial age to the great design achievements at the beginning of this century,” said Mr Harwin.
The Powerhouse Museum has the most important design collection in Australia, ranging from some of the finest Australian-made jewels of the 20th Century, key works by Marc Newson, the Catherine Martin design archive alongside Australian designers Carla Zampatti, Romance Was Born, Akira, Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson and International designers Chanel, Alexander McQueen and Christian Dior.
“Over the past three decades the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo has inspired thousands of visitors with one of the world’s most important Collections across applied arts and sciences,” said Museum Trust President, Peter Collins AM QC.
“Just like the V&A in London and Smithsonian in the U.S; whose vast and multidisciplinary Collections create incredible experiences for visitors the world over.”
“This renewal will pave the way for generations to come to experience even more of our 500,000 strong Collection through Australia’s leading museum of design and fashion in Ultimo and the new home of science and technology at our flagship, Powerhouse Parramatta,” said Mr Collins.
“The renewal of our institution will deliver two world-class museums – with a design and fashion focus at Powerhouse Ultimo and our flagship museum focused on science and technology museum, Powerhouse Parramatta,” said Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah.
“This visionary investment will see the expansion of our exhibition spaces as well as renewal of our historic exhibition spaces. We will create a vibrant public square beside the Goods Line, and creative industries workspaces that will become home for Australian designers.”
The Powerhouse Renewal incorporates the creation of the flagship Powerhouse Parramatta; the reimagining of Powerhouse, Ultimo and the expansion of Museums Discovery Centre, Castle Hill.
A design competition to deliver the Powerhouse Ultimo renewal will be led by Create Infrastructure and the Powerhouse Museum. For more information, visit: www.maas.museum for details.
Image: An Artist Impression of Powerhouse Ultimo (supplied)