NGV Functional Design Brief - Positive Solutions

Reviewing the Functional Design Brief for NGV Contemporary – Melbourne’s major new gallery

THE CONTEXT

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), located in two buildings across NGV International and NGV Australia, is the oldest and most visited gallery in Australia. Responding to consistent increases in visitation in recent years, a Functional Design Brief was developed to support a Business Case and secure State funding for a third component, NGV Contemporary, to display and further develop the growing contemporary art collection.

THE BRIEF

Positive Solutions was contracted by Major Projects Victoria, working in conjunction with Creative Victoria, to provide a review of the Functional Design Brief for NGV Contemporary. Our independent analysis of the Brief provided consideration of the current and predicted market context for contemporary art and galleries internationally.

OUR APPROACH

The final Review identified trends in Contemporary Art Galleries and Museums, articulating the growing move towards spectacle, and requiring adaptive spaces to accommodate art practices that incorporate technology, performance, and large-scale installation. The review also identified the need to accommodate the future directions of galleries and museums as they meet expectations of accessibility, participation and collaboration with their audiences. The Review was supported by benchmark findings from key international art institutions, and considered their approach to future planning against a breakdown of the functional design elements of the NGVC.

THE RESULT

Following Positive Solutions consultation, the Functional Design Brief was further developed to strengthen the Business Case put forward, leading to significant State funding for the project. This was supplemented with private philanthropy, resulting in The Fox: NGV Contemporary, to be designed by Architect Angelo Candalepas, and scheduled to open to the public in 2028. Positive Solutions later provided governance advice for the expansion of the Melbourne Arts Precinct to accommodate the new development, and strengthen relationships between the organisations that occupy the expansive 18,000 square metres of new elevated public space.