THE former Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery has reopened after a $2.3-million makeover with a new name.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Minister of the Arts, Don Harwin, and Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser officially opened Lake Macquarie's refreshed arts and cultural venue, the Museum of Art and Culture - or MAC, for short - at a VIP function on Friday night.
Mr Harwin said the state government was proud to contribute $735,789 in funding for the project through the Regional Cultural Fund.
"It gives me great pleasure to see the art museum transform into a new and exciting space for Lake Macquarie City and the Hunter region," Mr Harwin said.
"This expansion will not only enhance MAC's capacity as a regional gallery by capitalising on the artistic talent and culture of the region, it will also bring in exhibitions from across the country - all contributing to growing audiences and developing the place of arts and culture in the community."
It gives me great pleasure to see the art museum transform into a new and exciting space for Lake Macquarie City.
- - Minister Don Harwin
Mayor Kay Fraser said for nearly 20 years Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery has strived to showcase high quality exhibitions and programs that were lively, engaging and inspiring.
"With generous funding from the NSW government and through council's capital replacement program, we have been able to complete a new phase in the building's growth to enhance the collection storage and exhibition space, and improve the visitor experience," Cr Fraser said.
Council's arts, culture and tourism manager Jacqui Hemsley said the facility relaunch provided an opportunity for new pragrams.
"MAC now offers more events and programs that take advantage of its spectacular lake views, improvements to the sculpture park and a complete annual program of new and engaging activities for our community and visitors," Ms Hemsley said.
She said the unfortunate fire in August at the neighbouring Awaba House and cafe provided an opportunity for the gallery team to "branch out and reinvent our identity" with the launch of Cafe MAC in the gallery.
The gallery project involved extending the collection storage and exhibition space, covered outdoor programming space, a reconfigured entrance, new air-conditioning plant and additional photovoltaic cells.
Over the opening weekend the MAC and sculpture park were a hive of activity with creative fun for all ages, including markets, workshops, guided exhibition tours and live music.
Find out more about the relaunched facility at mac.lakemac.com.au.
