Bendigo Art Gallery ready to redevelop

A stunning new offering is on the way for the crowd-pulling Bendigo Art Gallery. A major redevelopment confirmed to begin in 2026.

The redevelopment will cement the gallery’s place as a regional drawcard and economic driver. It is a world-class cultural facility that draws more than 100,000 visitors to Bendigo each year.

It includes:

• second-floor blockbuster exhibition space
• new learning centre
• theatrette
• Traditional Owner Place of Keeping for Dja Dja Wurrung cultural material.

The redevelopment will also increase the gallery’s storage capacity.

This project will ensure the gallery’s future success, and ability to host major exhibitions – like Frida Kahlo: In Her Own Image, which has sold more than 50,000 tickets since opening in March.

Expected to take 2 years to complete, the project recognises the importance of Victoria’s creative sector and its contribution to economic growth.

The gallery has generated more than $113 million in economic impact for Greater Bendigo since 2012.

The redevelopment project is being funded by:

• $21 million investment from the Victorian Government
• $9 million from the City of Greater Bendigo
• $4 million from the Gallery Board
• $9.35 million in philanthropic support.

Works expected to begin early next year, with a program of offsite exhibitions staged across Bendigo while the project is underway.