Minister for Regional Cities Denis Napthine will officially open the new annexe at the Art Gallery of Ballarat on Thursday.

The project marks the completion of a $1.9 million upgrade at the gallery over the past three years including the installation of skylights, relocation of the café, building façade update and upgrade of the gallery shop.

City of Ballarat Councillor Mark Harris said the completion of the annexe was the perfect finish to the upgrade project.

“The annexe is by far the most exciting part of the upgrades. It makes the existing function hall quite a bit larger but can also be used as a stand alone space for more intimate functions. It will also be able to be used as a band stand for functions in Alfred Deakin Place”.

“Community groups, businesses and individuals will be able to book the annexe for their next function. I think the location paired with the unique atmosphere and ambience will put it amongst the top function spaces in Ballarat”.

Gallery Director Gordon Morrison said that the new space would expand the range of activities that the Gallery could host and bring new audiences into the Gallery.

“We had outgrown our existing function space with the numbers attending most of our exhibition openings”.

“In addition, we want to develop a more ambitious program of activities that build on the exhibitions that are our core business. This expansion of the licensed area of the Gallery will allow us to stage a range of events from film screenings to concerts and fashion parades”.

“If guests to a corporate seminar have their eyes caught by a painting or sculpture, then that’s an added bonus”.

The annexe was designed by Searle and Waldron Architects and built by Nicholson Construction.