Art Gallery of Ballarat closed for upgrades as Backspace Gallery opens on Mair Street
The main gallery remains shut until late 2026 while a new pop-up venue at 43 Mair Street continues to host exhibitions for local and early-career artists.
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The Art Gallery of Ballarat is closed for building upgrades that began in March 2025 and are scheduled to continue until late 2026. The project includes a $6 million renovation with new HVAC systems and skylight upgrades. Visitors seeking exhibitions by local and early-career artists are directed to the Backspace Gallery that has opened at 43 Mair Street as a permanent pop-up venue.
Why the changes matter now
The gallery, founded in 1884 as Australia's oldest and largest regional art gallery, holds one of the nation's most comprehensive collections of Australian paintings and political cartoons. Its temporary closure has shifted attention to the new Backspace Gallery, which maintains exhibition opportunities while the main site undergoes work. Locals continue to discuss the name change from Ballarat Fine Art Gallery to Art Gallery of Ballarat, a step taken to reflect the diverse collection.
Leadership and recent activity
Jacqueline Doughty has been welcomed as the new assistant director for curatorial affairs. These developments follow the gallery's role in hosting the 2024 Australian Museums and Galleries Association annual conference, which brought 700 attendees and $1.15 million to the local economy in September that year. The combination of ongoing upgrades and the active Backspace Gallery keeps the institution in local conversation.
Practical access during closure
Exhibitions remain available at the Backspace Gallery at 43 Mair Street. The main site on Lydiard Street will reopen once the HVAC and skylight works are complete in late 2026. Residents can follow updates through the gallery's official channels for exhibition schedules and reopening details.
Covering culture in Ballarat. This article was generated by AI, under human editorial accountability and risk-based review and our reasonable editorial care. Sensitive material is held for human review before publication. See our reasonable editorial care.
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