National Centre for Photography

37°33′45″S 143°51′27″E / 37.5624°S 143.8574°E / -37.5624; 143.8574 The National Centre for Photography, sited in the regional city of Ballarat in Victoria, Australia exhibits, promotes, archives, and provides education, in photography.[1]

History

Foundation

The National Centre for Photography, was registered as a business with ASIC in March 2018 as an initiative of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale.[2] In April 2018, the former Union Bank building at 4 Lydiard Street South and 4 Bath Lane, Ballarat Central, was purchased for restoration and renovation as the home of the National Centre.[3]

Government support

In November 2020, the Andrews Labor Government announced the award of $6.7 million from the Victorian Government's Tourism Infrastructure Program for the development of the National Centre for Photography in Ballarat. This funding enabled the commencement of Stage One Development for the National Centre: its completion is estimated to generate $75.7 million in economic benefit across the next 15 years from visitors and associated tourism.[4]

Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula confirmed the contribution of the Biennale to the feasibility of the Centre: “The Ballarat International Foto Biennale is one of Victoria’s iconic regional events and the National Centre for Photography will allow it to contribute to Ballarat’s economy and jobs strength year-round.”[5] Then-Artistic Director of the Biennale, Fiona Sweet, stated that: “This money is a real investment in culture – it directly supports the arts in regional Victoria and will no doubt generate significant visitation to Ballarat.”[6]

Stage One Development

In September 2021, the Conservation Management Plan for the National Centre site was completed; the Internal Heritage Permit for Level 1 was issued in February 2023, and the Archaeological Management Plan for the site was completed in May 2023. For the 2023 Ballarat International Foto Biennale (August-October 2023), Lisa Roet's Golden Monkey was installed on the exterior of the building.[7]

In December 2023, planning permission was granted for the entire building, and the External Heritage Permit was issued in June 2024. Construction firm Searle Bros were appointed in August 2024, and construction, demolition and excavation commenced on-site in November 2024.[8][9] Kerstin Thompson Architects (KTA) have been appointed as architects and designers for the National Centre project; and the project team has included project management firm Ontoit, Slattery Australia as quantity surveyors, and Sampson Wong & Associates as building surveyors.[10]

The Internal Heritage Permit for Levels 2 and 3 was issued in April 2025, and restoration of the heritage facade on Lydiard Street South began in June 2025. For the 2025 Ballarat International Foto Biennale (23 August - 19 October 2025), Dave Jones was commissioned with Dr Deanne Gilson to install the illuminated moth sculpture Mumu Mirri.[11]

Stage 2 Development will see the completion of the National Centre for Photography, including four galleries, for major temporary exhibitions by local, national and international artists; educational workshop spaces; an artist-in-residence program and opportunities for community artists to exhibit; and a stockroom housing the Ballarat International Foto Biennale’s permanent collections, including the Martin Kantor Portrait Prize and a photobook library.[12]

Venue

The site of the National Centre for Photography is the heritage-listed former Union Bank at 4 Bath Lane, Ballarat Central, a 436-square-metre three-story Greek Revival building.[13] While classically inspired in form, the building stands on Wadawurrung Country, and Wadawurrung people remain the Traditional Owners of the land.

The building is considered one of the most significant works of the prolific bank and church architect, Leonard Terry (1825-1884).[14] The ground floor features fluted Doric columns, while the upper colonnade is formed by elegant Corinthian columns supporting a richly detailed entablature and balustraded parapet. Behind the colonnades, the street façade is carefully ordered with rusticated masonry at ground level and refined upper windows with iron balconettes and diagonal transom glazing. Inside, much of the original nineteenth-century fabric survives, including the grand returning staircase, Roman-style joinery mouldings, decorative cornices and Greek-patterned frieze borders; as well as the original massive safe door.

Exhibitions

2025

Ballarat International Foto Biennale, 23 August - 19 October:

  • Dave Jones with Dr Deanne Gilson, Mumu Mirri (external installation)

2023

Ballarat International Foto Biennale, 26 August - 22 October:

  • Lisa Roet, Golden Monkey (external installation)

2021

Ballarat International Foto Biennale, 15 September 2021 - 9 January 2022:

  • Alix Marie, Styx
  • Chow and Lin (Stefen Chow and Huiyi Lin), The Poverty Line
  • Steven Arnold, Notes from a Queer Mystic

2019

Ballarat International Foto Biennale, 24 August - 20 October:

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Centre for Photography | A landmark destination for contemporary photography and lens-based practice". www.nationalcentreforphotography.org. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  2. ^ "‘National Centre of Photography’ for Ballarat", Pro Counter, Shipton Communications, June 22, 2018
  3. ^ "Ballarat International Foto Biennale buys a new home". www.thecourier.com.au. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  4. ^ Commonwealth Parliament (October 2019). "Hansard: Federation Chamber - CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS - Ballarat International Foto Biennale". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Building A National Centre For Photography In Ballarat | Premier of Victoria". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  6. ^ Nicola Dowse, "Ballarat will become the home for Australia’s new National Centre for Photography", Time Out, Monday 23 November 2020
  7. ^ "Giant inflatable golden monkey clings to historic building". ABC News. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  8. ^ "Projects Archive". Searle Bros | Commercial Builders Bendigo & Central Victoria. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  9. ^ "This historic Lydiard Street building is about to undergo a facelift". www.thecourier.com.au. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  10. ^ "National Centre for Photography | Under Construction". www.nationalcentreforphotography.org. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  11. ^ "New face revealed for historic Lydiard Street building as major event launches". www.thecourier.com.au. 22 August 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  12. ^ "National Centre for Photography | Under Construction". www.nationalcentreforphotography.org. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  13. ^ "VHD". vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  14. ^ Tonkin, Ray (2003). "Victorian Heritage Database Report: FORMER UNION BANK BUILDING". Heritage Council of Victoria.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.