J. A. V. Nisbet
Architect drawing for a proposed Lismore Public Library and Cultural Centre, 1939
image courtesy Lismore Regional Gallery

Many readers would be aware of Lismore City Council’s ongoing quest to rebuild Lismore Regional Gallery in the CBD, writes Lismore Regional Gallery director Brett Adlington…and now that Lismore Council have agreed to put up half the money the plans for a new gallery are one step closer…

For those that have visited here, some may be captured by the charm of the old building into which we’re nestled. Others may be dismayed by the state and the size of the facility – particularly compared to the recent growth spurt of our northern neighbours in Murwillumbah.

I’ve heard it all – and while I err on the latter side of those perspectives, I can see how people are captivated by the unusual exhibition spaces and ramshackle charm of the building.  However, this building (chosen to ‘temporarily’ house the gallery in 1954) offers a host of difficulties which limit our ability to take travelling exhibitions (no storage of crates and small front door means crates will not fit through); severely restrict the institutions we can loan artworks from for our own projects (no climate control and below flood height) and constantly challenge us in organising events (will the next exhibition allow for people to sit and listen to an artist talk?).

These ongoing issues, which test our wonderful staff on a day-to-day basis, are what drive us in our push for a relocated gallery.

Given the ongoing issues surrounding this project, pragmatics took control last year. The site we’ve been looking at, the old Lismore High School site, will continue to be the location and in honour of the heritage will be renamed Lismore Quadrangle. Discussions with a number of architects also led us to examine re-using the existing C-Block building with newly constructed exhibition display spaces.

The facility will also include a relocated Arts Northern Rivers, and Co-op Bookshop – providing a high quality retail experience. These partnerships will ensure an active space – while being mindful of Council resources.

Consideration is also being made into the central landscaped ‘quadrangle’ to be a programmed space with a range of creative activities. This site will link the Lismore Library and Northern Rivers Conservatorium and be a key gathering site or town square for Lismore. Collectively (taking into consideration all the organisations), the Lismore Quadrangle will see 300,000 visitors annually. This and the increased visitation to Lismore Regional Gallery, will have an economic impact of $3.2million annually on the Lismore economy with a flow on increase of 60 local jobs.

It will also create a much needed boost to the amenity of the CBD, impacting on potential investment. One only has to imagine the positive signal a vital and active precinct will send to locals and visitors.

Lismore Regional Gallery has been in the same building since 1954. This photograph was taken in 1987

Lismore Regional Gallery is the fifth oldest regional gallery in New South Wales supporting the Lismore, Byron Bay, Bangalow, Nimbin, Lennox Head, Casino and Kyogle communities. It started in 1953 as a result of the formation of the Lismore Arts Trust and in 1954 Lismore City Council granted the Trust the use of the lower floor of the Trench Building in Spinks Park and on 26 October 1954 Lismore Art Gallery was officially opened by the Director of the Art Gallery of NSW.

So where are at now? This is the question I have been asked for the past five years, at almost every event I attend – a gallery opening in Brisbane, a meeting in Sydney, or a music festival in Byron.

On  November 28 we submitted an application for $2.3million to the Federal Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund. This would be 50% of the project cost, with Council voting on 11 November to contribute their 50% share. This would be supported by the amazing fundraising efforts of the Friends of the Gallery in 2013, seeing $200,000 pledged or donated, and an undisclosed contribution $500,000.

Finally, Council is currently embarking on an Architect EOI process, with three architects coming up with plans and costings to meet our needs.

We find out the outcome of the application in May 2015, so if I see you around the traps in the interim – at least that persistent question has been answered!

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