More than 80 local people joined dignitaries and business leaders at a special event organised by the Benalla Art Gallery Foundation. Photo: Rene Martens.
The Benalla Art Gallery Foundation brought local business leaders together for an informative community event on Friday, September 19.
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The event, hosted at Benalla Art Gallery, was attended by Mayor Bernie Hearn, Benalla councillors, Benalla Council chief executive Peter Keane, Benalla Art Gallery director Eric Nash and 80 business owners and community guests.
Foundation chair Winsome McCaughey welcomed attendees and summarised the foundation’s role.
“Many community people are now part of, and working voluntarily, with the Benalla Art Gallery Foundation,” she said.
“We are committed to supporting the Benalla Rural City Council and our community to ensure the gallery is financially viable long-term.
Benalla Art Gallery Foundation chair Winsome McCaughey addresses the crowd. Photo: Rene Martens.
“It is a fabulous community asset with immense potential to generate much of its own income and bring big benefits to our region.
“We’re very pleased council is getting on with the gallery’s much-needed upgrades.
“For the gallery to become truly financially viable, and to keep delivering cultural, educational and economic benefits for another 50 years, it needs more space.
“To survive and keep up with other regional galleries, our gallery must be able to stage bigger exhibitions, which in turn attract more visitors to Benalla and help power the local and regional economy.
“This remains the foundation’s focus.”
Benalla Art Gallery director Eric Nash discussed gallery upgrades, and how the Benalla Art Gallery Foundation was assisting, at a special event on September 19. Photo: Rene Martens.
At the event, Mr Keane provided an update on council plans to upgrade the gallery.
“The first stage of the gallery’s upgrade commences in the coming months,” he said.
“Stage one will see major improvements to the gallery’s outdated climate control system, storage facilities and visitor amenities, including a new café/restaurant.
“We know the gallery needs to continue to develop and evolve based upon the foundations established by the stage one redevelopment.
“Council appreciates the foundation’s commitment to working alongside us to bring in further external grants and donations from government agencies and philanthropic sources in support of additional development opportunities.
“Our shared aim is to consolidate the future of the gallery as a modern cultural institution, capable of bringing bigger exhibitions and more community programs to Benalla Rural City, while potentially generating much of its own income.”
Foundation business development manager Penny Whitehead said data showing the economic success of other regional galleries gave Benalla confidence moving forward:
Since redevelopment, the Shepparton Art Museum visitation rate has increased by 244 per cent, resulting in 82,000 extra diners and 13,000 bed nights per year in the past 12 months.
When Bendigo Art Gallery hosted Elvis: Direct from Graceland in 2022 it attracted 219,000 visitors in just four months and generated an estimated $65 million for the local economy
Geelong Gallery’s hosting of the 2017 and 2018 Archibald Prize generated $14.25 million in economic impact for the city.
The special event was an opportunity for the Benalla Art Gallery Foundation to share plans with the community. Photo: Rene Martens.
“The foundation is working alongside the council, community and the philanthropic sector, enabling the Benalla Art Gallery to bring economic benefits to Benalla and the region,” Ms Whitehead said.
“This gallery has extraordinary art on the walls, but its value goes far beyond that.
“It’s about fuller restaurants, busier shops, stronger hotels, thriving service providers, attracting new workers and industry, building volunteer organisations, and supporting the Benalla community to thrive.”
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