MELBOURNE.- The National Gallery of Victoria today announced that The Ian Potter Foundation has pledged AUD$20 million – the single biggest grant in the foundation’s history – towards the build of Australia’s largest contemporary art gallery, NGV Contemporary.

Located at 77 Southbank Boulevard, NGV Contemporary will be a landmark, purpose-built gallery of architectural significance dedicated to displaying important local, national and international contemporary art and design in the heart of the re-imagined Melbourne Arts Precinct. Once completed, the gallery will span more than 30,000 square metres, making it the largest facility of its kind in Australia.

Building on the growth in audiences attending ground-breaking exhibitions of contemporary art and design, NGV Contemporary will elevate Melbourne’s reputation as a thriving and dynamic destination for art and design in our region.

NGV Contemporary will provide visitors with an unprecedented opportunity to experience the breadth of the NGV’s collection of contemporary art and design, along with a year-round program of major contemporary exhibitions of global significance.

The support from The Ian Potter Foundation is anticipated to encourage additional philanthropic and community support.

Charles Goode AC, Chairman, The Ian Potter Foundation, said: ‘NGV Contemporary will have a transformative impact on our city. Projects like this ensure that Melbourne will always be a place of vibrancy and a source of cultural pride for our community. The Ian Potter Foundation is proud to support the development of NGV Contemporary and we hope to encourage further commitments of support from a variety of philanthropic, corporate and community members who share our passion for a culturally rich and diverse arts sector.’

Tony Ellwood AM, Director, NGV, said: ‘I’d like to acknowledge the unprecedented support we have received for this project from The Ian Potter Foundation. Their leadership, generosity and commitment to the cultural vibrancy of Victoria is commendable. The NGV Foundation is delighted to be working with The Ian Potter Foundation, as well as the wider philanthropic and corporate sector, to realise our ambitious fundraising targets for this important cultural asset for Victoria.’

NGV Contemporary will strengthen the NGV’s reputation for promoting local and international design at its major pre-existing galleries – NGV International on St Kilda Road and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square.