Bringing the gallery outdoors

Works are underway for another activation space in Ballarat’s city centre.  

Alfred Deakin Place, beside the Art Gallery of Ballarat, is being improved with seating areas and landscaping to enable people to stay and enjoy the space.    

Once completed, the Art Gallery will be able to be brought outside, with four backlit exhibition panels used to display visual art to the community 24 hours a day.  

The exhibition panels will be solar powered and will create a free additional gallery space, bringing a touch of the gallery outdoors.  

A permanent five metre screen will be installed to showcase local films and art from the Art Gallery of Ballarat.  

This was approved by Heritage Victoria in December 2022 and will be installed by July 2023. 

The screen will also support public events in Alfred Deakin Place. The screen can be used to display movies and sporting events. It may also be used as a backdrop for events such as performance art, live bands, or public speakers.  

Carpentry works commenced in February and will be completed by March to allow for landscaping to be installed.  

The exhibition boxes are set to be installed and programmed by the middle of the year.  

Seating and planter boxes in the space will encourage the community to stay longer and gather in this outdoor setting right in the heart of the CBD. 

Alfred Deakin Place is already home to some of Ballarat’s best public art, showcasing regular creative pieces on the Annex Wall.  

The project has been fully funded by the State Government’s COVID Safe Outdoor Activation Fund 2021, targeting industries most impacted by the pandemic.  

City of Ballarat Councillor, Cr Mark Harris said it is a fantastic way to get people out and enjoy the atmosphere. 

“This project is about creating an outdoor space to support our artists and give the members of the public a place to enjoy what the Art Gallery of Ballarat can offer and in turn further supporting the creative industries,” he said.  

A City of Ballarat mySay survey showed 70 per cent of respondents approved of outdoor dining and activation areas and that they would be prepared to walk to active outdoor spaces that were aesthetically pleasing, with good design and weather protection.