Refurbished art gallery to reopen next month with storytelling focus
A refurbished Hervey Bay Regional Gallery will reopen next month with an upgraded climate control system, extra gallery space and a focus on the vital role of storytelling.
Fraser Coast Regional Councillor David Lewis said Council was excited to be welcoming visitors back to the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery from Saturday 16 April, and had adopted a new strategic plan to guide the direction of the gallery over the next five years.
“The Fraser Coast has a colourful and vibrant cultural life, and Council is keen to ensure our community has opportunities to appreciate its arts, heritage and cultural diversity,” he said.
“When the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery re-opens, there will be a focus on the role that storytelling, in all its forms including contemporary art and the interpretation of culture, history and place, plays in building and supporting our region’s vibrant and diverse communities.
“Galleries are moving in new directions, away from the old static displays so the refurbishment offered an opportunity to plan ahead, to look at industry trends and develop a gallery that is contemporary and engaging.
“We want the gallery to be a place of consequence in our community that is known for its standard of excellence across its exhibitions, programs and supporting operations.”
The Strategic Plan aims to provide an understanding of the past, a constructive perspective of today, and a creative vision for the future that encompasses all of our region’s histories, cultures and creative aspirations.
It outlines five key objectives that will focus and expand its operations and future direction. Hervey Bay Regional Gallery will:
- Become a place of consequence known for excellence across its operations.
- Use storytelling as a foundational value in how we connect to community.
- Commit to the values of learning, sharing and connecting as a pathway to meaningful relationships with Butchulla people.
- Build, maintain and share a Fine Art Collection of State significance.
- Engage with diverse communities and stakeholders to promote a sustainable creative economy.
The strategic plan can be viewed on the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery website at https://hbrg.ourfrasercoast.com.au/vision
The Hervey Bay Regional Gallery has been in operation since May 1997. It was moved to its current site in December 2012 and was closed in late February 2020 for refurbishment and repairs.
The Queensland Government provided $400,000 from the COVID Works for Queensland program towards the Fraser Coast Regional Council’s gallery refurbishment project.
The Hervey Bay Regional Gallery building works have included:
- A new air conditioning and climate control system;
- Airlocks to ensure the efficiency of the climate control system;
- A storage area built to national collection standards;
- Upgraded loading and delivery services and exhibition preparation areas;
- Two gallery spaces to replace the former Discovery Sphere and theatrette; and
- Installation of services to cater for a coffee shop and larger retail area.