Geelong Gallery

Our story

In 2020, Geelong Gallery raised over $85,000 to support the installation of new state-of-the-art ERCO lighting systems in our Douglass, Max Bell and Richardson galleries. We were grateful for the incredible support of our community and thankful to all donors for their vision and support of the ongoing preservation of our sensitive collection items, and the opportunity to share the riches of our permanent collection in the very best light.

In May 2021, we embark on a similar mission with a phase two fundraising campaign set to support the upgrade of lighting in the Hitchcock and McPhillimy Galleries. 

Geelong Gallery’s current lighting system was installed between 1979 and 2001. It is outdated and now compromises the cultural heritage management of our public collection, and our capacity to loan under increasingly stringent lighting standards.

Why help? 

Support conservation
Ensure excellence in the preservation of our sensitive collection items through cleaner, less-damaging and long-life LED units.

See our collection under new light
Support our capacity to use this state-of-the-art lighting system to enable lighting adjustments for individual works and expanded installations of our diverse permanent collection.

Explore works that have never seen the light of day
Allow fragile, light-sensitive works on paper that have limited display options to be seen under a new soft-glow lighting technology.

Learning for everyone
Improve the capacity of researchers and conservators to view our works with 21st century technology.

Bring nationally significant works and exhibitions to Geelong

Help Geelong Gallery continue to lead in the maintenance of the highest conservation standards.

Improve environmental sustainability
Reduce our carbon footprint by supporting the implementation of long-lasting LED lights improving the long-term efficiency of our building.

Underpin financial success
Attract audiences to touring exhibitions or works of national and international significance and reduce overall running costs. 

Support Geelong Gallery’s ambitious ‘Turn the lights back on’ campaign.

What's next?

We will implement this upgrade one Gallery at a time as we reach our targets. The upgrade of each space costs between $30,000 to $60,000. Can you help us?  Projects such as this simply cannot be delivered without your generous philanthropic support.

The two gallery spaces prioritised for the ERCO lighting upgrade are our Hitchcock and McPhillimy Galleries, in which the treasures of the collection are on semi-permanent display. 

Join us in preparing a beautifully bright future for the Gallery.

Please give now

Budget Overview

'Turn the lights back on' budget: McPhillimy Gallery (similar costings for Hitchcock Gallery)

— ERCO lighting system   $45,700
— Art handing costs   $1,500

—  Marketing and administration   $300

—  Installation costs   $2,500

Project timeline

— Outcome of the 'Turn the lights back on' fundraising campaign   30 June 2021

— Commencement of installation   1 August 2021

— Completion of installation   30 September 2021

— Anticipated completion date and still photography of new space  30 October 2021