Local builder to commence critical building works at Art Gallery of Ballarat

Critical building works at the Art Gallery of Ballarat are set to commence, with local builder S.J Weir starting on site in early April, to complete vital building services works and future-proof the historic gallery which has been open since 1890.  

The gallery was closed in March 2025 to commence detailed permanent collection management, with almost 12,000 artworks being assessed, catalogued, packed and appropriately stored in anticipation of the works.

During the early stages of the closure, the project scope was expanded to include other necessary works including replacement of both the freight and passenger lifts, and additional generator capacity works which will support significant international artwork loans. Several statutory approvals were also required prior to the completion of updated designs and the appointment of local builder S.J Weir to undertake the works.  

The works are expected to be completed in mid-2027 and the re-introduction of staff, installation of permanent collection galleries and new exhibitions will follow prior to re-opening.  

This essential building project includes several stages of works, with the first of these now commencing. The first stage will involve roof works and mechanical upgrades which will enable the gallery to better protect the collection and manage the building. This will include crane access off Mair Street.  

• The critical building works and key stages will include:
• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system replacement that meets international museum standards. This will allow the gallery to obtain international loans and put on more blockbuster exhibitions
• Replacement of the building’s freight and passenger lifts to greatly improve accessibility and functionality of the 135-year-old building
• Switchboard upgrades which will allow for future generator connections, necessary to maintain the gallery environment and secure large exhibitions  
• Upgrades to historic skylights with LED lighting, allowing more artworks on paper to be shown - which are sensitive to light and UV - for the first time and maintain the gallery environment (this component of the project is being funded via the Victorian Government’s Regional Collections Access Program)
• Installation of wall linings to protect heritage walls which will enable works to be hung directly on the walls increasing the security of artworks and giving the capacity to hang an increased number of artworks in varied permanent collection displays.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said Council understands that many people in the community love the Gallery, and the team is striving to re-open as soon as possible.  

“It is crucial that we effectively carry out all aspects of the project to ensure the Gallery remains a much-loved asset for many generations to come,” she said.

“There are always challenges when upgrading heritage buildings that are more than 130 years old, so ensuring that the planning and design were meticulously carried out was important and now the exciting work is getting under way.”

Director of the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Louise Tegart said the total scope of work will ensure the Art Gallery of Ballarat will be equipped to deliver an exciting schedule of exhibitions and public programs in the ensuing years and avoid future closures.  

“The building works will allow ambitious exhibitions and new acquisitions to be seen at the Art Gallery of Ballarat for the first time.”

In the meantime, artworks from the collection can be seen at regional and state galleries throughout the year including: Heide Museum of Art, Hellenic Museum, Ian Potter Museum of Art, Tarrawarra Museum of Art, Art Gallery of South Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the National Gallery of Australia.”

The Art Gallery of Ballarat Shop will remain open at the Lydiard Street site for as long as possible during the building works, while the Backspace Gallery remains open at the pop-up gallery on Mair Street. There is also more off-site exhibition programming planned for the second half of 2026.  See all the Gallery’s events here.