MELBOURNE.- The National Gallery of Victoria will open for seven days a week from October 2015 following record-breaking attendance in 2014-15.

Making the announcement today, Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said close to 2.3 million people visited the NGV in the 2014-15 financial year, an increase of almost 12 per cent from 2013-14.

From October, both the NGV International on Melbourne’s St Kilda Road and The Ian Potter Centre, NGV Australia at Federation Square will remain open seven days a week for the first time since 2005.

2014-15 was a blockbuster year for the NGV with the Australian-exclusive exhibition The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier attracting more than 226,000 visitors and becoming the NGV’s most successful summer contemporary exhibition on record. The exhibition included sold out public programs including the popular Friday Nights music series, which was attended by 31,000 people.

The number of children visiting the increased by more than 20 per cent, with 283,000 children visiting the NGV, including 86,000 children who saw the interactive exhibition Express Yourself! Romance Was Born for Kids at NGV International.

The NGV’s next major exhibition is Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great. Part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, the exhibition will bring together more than 450 works from the personal collection of Catherine the Great, with many pieces travelling to Australia for the first time. The exhibition opens on 31 July, 2015.

Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley “Our NGV is the oldest public art museum in the country, having played a role Australia’s creative and cultural life for more than 150 years.”

“These record attendances are a testament to the NGV’s ability to attract and inspire audiences of all ages.”

“This means more Victorians and visitors from elsewhere will have a chance to experience its exquisite collection, exhibition program and extensive free program.”

National Gallery of Victoria Director, Tony Ellwood: ‘‘Seven-day access will give all Victorians and interstate and international visitors the opportunity to visit the National Gallery of Victoria at a time that suits them.’’

‘’We are looking forward to sharing a diverse range of contemporary and historical exhibitions, including our Melbourne Winter Masterpieces and NGV Summer series, with our growing audiences.’’