May 2, 2022 | By Bronwen Largier
The Sydney Modern Project will deliver a major expansion to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, nearly doubling the cultural institution’s exhibition space with the opening of a second building on December 3, and event spaces are part of the new offering.
According to a statement from the gallery, the $344 million project is the most significant cultural development in the city centre since the Sydney Opera House was built almost 50 years ago.
Four new event spaces will be part of the new building, which sits alongside the first art gallery building in the Domain and features a striking design with expansive use of glass.
The new spaces will have a total cocktail capacity of up to 1,000 attendees and banquet capacity for 300. It will also be possible to incorporate private exhibition viewings and guided tours into events at the venue.
Amongst its spaces, the new building includes an underground art venue, created from a decommissioned WW2 naval oil tank, which will be used for special commissions and performances.
“All eyes will be on Sydney when our new building opens on our magnificent site on Gadigal Country overlooking Sydney Harbour,” said director of the Art Gallery of NSW Dr Michael Brand
“Our new art museum campus brings together art, architecture and landscape in spectacular new ways providing visitors with art and cultural experiences only possible here.
“This is truly the world seen from Sydney.”
The new building also marks a sustainability first for an Australian art museum, with the development awarded a 6-Star Green Star design rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
Event spaces in the Sydney Modern Project are bookable now for dates from January 2023 onwards.