New NGV Contemporary gallery to be centrepiece of a $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct

The Victorian Government and National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) announced today the largest cultural gift for a capital program ever made to an Australian art museum by a living donor.

Article by T Australia

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Render of winning concept design for NGV Contemporary by Angelo Candalepas and Associates, and public green space, at dusk facing south. Render by Darcstudio.Render of winning concept design for NGV Contemporary by Angelo Candalepas and Associates, and public green space, at dusk facing south. Render by Darcstudio.

The Victorian Government and National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) announced today a donation by Lindsay Fox AC and Paula Fox AO of $100 million towards NGV Contemporary – the largest cultural gift for a capital program ever made to an Australian art museum by a living donor.

The gift towards NGV Contemporary coincides with the 85th birthday of Fox and is offered in recognition of NGV Contemporary’s important role in enriching the cultural and civic lives of all Victorians. This unprecedented act of philanthropy reflects the Fox family’s long-held commitment to uplifting the Victorian community through their wide-ranging philanthropic giving and fundraising. In recognition of the contribution, the NGV Contemporary will be named The Fox: NGV Contemporary.

The Fox family have been valued supporters of the NGV for almost 20 years and have generously contributed to many significant acquisitions of major works of art and design, with a focus on both historic and contemporary international art and Indigenous Australian art. In addition to their support of the NGV Collection, the family have also made generous contributions towards the presentation of the popular NGV Kids exhibitions, reflecting their passionate support of initiatives for children and families.

Daytime render of winning concept design for NGV Contemporary by Angelo Candalepas and Associates, arrival gallery and central spherical hall. Render by Secchi Smith. Artwork: Centre: KAWS (American born 1974) Gone 2019, Commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria, 2020 Left: Reko Rennie (Kamilaroi born 1974) i) OA WARRIOR I (blue) 2020 ii) OA WARRIOR II (pink) 2020, Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2020 Right: Pae White (American born 1963), Spearmint to peppermint 2013, Purchased NGV Foundation with the assistance of the Donald Russell Elford and Dorothy Grace Elford Bequest, 2017 Render by Secchi Smith.
Daytime render of winning concept design for NGV Contemporary by Angelo Candalepas and Associates, arrival gallery and central spherical hall. Render by Secchi Smith. Artwork: Centre: KAWS (American born 1974) Gone 2019, Commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria, 2020 Left: Reko Rennie (Kamilaroi born 1974) i) OA WARRIOR I (blue) 2020 ii) OA WARRIOR II (pink) 2020, Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2020 Right: Pae White (American born 1963), Spearmint to peppermint 2013, Purchased NGV Foundation with the assistance of the Donald Russell Elford and Dorothy Grace Elford Bequest, 2017 Render by Secchi Smith.

Located at 77 Southbank Boulevard, Melbourne, The Fox: NGV Contemporary will be designed by Angelo Candalepas and a team of 20 leading architecture, design and engineering firms from around Victoria and Australia. This new 30,000 square metre Victorian landmark will celebrate the central role of art and design in contemporary life and features dramatic arched entries, a spherical hall, state-of-the art exhibition galleries and an expansive rooftop terrace with stunning vistas of Melbourne.

The Fox: NGV Contemporary is the centrepiece of the Victorian Government’s $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation. It will unify the surrounding Melbourne Arts Precinct with pathways through the building that connect the new public parklands to Southbank, and will strengthen the NGV’s reputation for promoting local and international art and design at its major pre-existing galleries – NGV International on St Kilda Road and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square.

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