Party plans to expand art gallery
THE COALITION has announced it will spend $500,000 to look at the feasibility of expanding Geelong Gallery if it wins power in this month’s state election.
Liberals arts and culture spokeswoman Heidi Victoria yesterday joined the party’s candidate for Geelong, Freya Fidge, to announce funding to prepare a business case for the project.
Under the proposal, the Gallery would expand into the adjoining City Hall following the completion of Geelong Council’s new $91 million high-rise headquarters on Mercer St.
The business case would examine how an expanded gallery would benefit tourism.
Ms Victoria said a bigger space would help the Gallery lure touring exhibitions and allow for more of its permanent collection to be shown.
The Council has vowed to make some space in City Hall available to the Gallery when it relocates, with part of the building to be retained for meetings and ceremonies.