Painting a Clearer Picture: Art Gallery Milestones

26 October 2023

A tender to construct Australia’s next infrastructure icon, the First Nations Gallery of Australia will go live in the coming days.

The Gallery, to be built in Alice Springs – the geographical and artistic heart of Australia, will provide a centrepiece for Aboriginal Art, showcasing the significance of Aboriginal culture to the nation and the world.

It is estimated over 230 jobs will be created through the construction stage of this world class art gallery, with many more to be sustained once the project is complete in late 2026, and operational in 2027.

This announcement comes as the Northern Territory Art Gallery, based in Darwin, also reaches a significant milestone.

Construction is now well underway as excavation of the $88 million gallery was completed in June as part of the $145 million Civic and State Square redevelopment.

Key milestones for the project to date include the construction of the basement ramp for art delivery, commencement of the lift shafts, including a 4.3 tonne art lift and general public lift, the installation of waterproofing and all in ground services.

The next stage of the construction will see a tower crane located on top of the site as works in the basement progress including installation of precast concrete walls panels.

Quote attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Planning & Logistics, Eva Lawler:

“The Northern Territory is home to some of the world best artists and art works, and soon we will have the infrastructure to match.

“Both projects maximise environmental sustainable design benefits, creating a combined 420 plus jobs over the construction stages, with countless more to be created long into the future.  

“We know these visionary projects will be a major draw card for locals and visitors far and wide, which will have flow on benefits for our hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes and the wider community.

Quote attributable to Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Chansey Paech:

 “The release of the tender will be an important milestone for the First Nations Gallery of Australia.

“The gallery will host culturally significant First Nations works from across the nation and will be a place where art and culture can be preserved, developed and grown.

“This project is being advanced in consultation with the National Reference Group, the members of which bring a depth of experience and expertise from across the arts industry.”

Northern Territory Government