Council's commitment to a new art gallery for the city in the next five years is surely welcome for residents who enjoy creative expression. Visitors to the current regional art gallery will understand it's not fit for purpose for a city as prosperous and tourism-driven as Griffith.
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The fact that it has remained in the same building for almost 40 years is an indictment on council's failure to recognise the arts have been left behind.
Council's motto is 'love the lifestyle' and cultural pursuits are an important part of modern-day life. The current gallery does not go far in serving those needs.
Our city is well provided with green spaces for recreation, relaxation and sport, and there are opportunities for business and industry to thrive.
Culture is an important part of the mix of a thriving city, not just from a lifestyle perspective but they can provide economic benefits as well.
Like all services, galleries cost money to build, maintain and staff. There is absolutely a public debate which needs to happen about the best way to fund it.
Like all government services, while there is a cost to residents - there are benefits to be achieved for our city's businesses by attracting more visitors.
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Attracting more visitors will support the many restaurants, cafes, winery cellar doors and other businesses. These businesses all support employment for residents.
Many people travel to see art, so investing in a purpose-built gallery for Griffith isn't a one-sided equation.
A purpose-built gallery which can hold more than one exhibition will absolutely support more than the creative expression of our residents or a touring event like the Archibald Prize.
Some of the key supporters of a bid for the city to have a new art gallery want to see it take pride of place in the centre of the city, next to the visitor information centre.
Turning a disused bowling green into a purpose-built art gallery would be far more worthwhile than a maintenance-intensive rose garden. However, since a purpose-built gallery is going to have to serve the city for many decades to come, it's important that it's done right.
Ensuring there's enough room for three exhibition spaces and effective security and climate control is key to ensure a new gallery becomes the crowing achievement the city deserves.