SELECTING THE BEST SITE FOR A NEW WANGARATTA ART GALLERY

> THE CONTEXT

Wangaratta Art Gallery delivers a substantial program of exhibitions annually accompanied by a public program of artist talks, dinners and education workshops. The Gallery’s program is limited by the infrastructure and physical space of the historic Presbyterian Church where the Gallery is accommodated, and the need for a new Gallery has been increasingly evident.

> THE BRIEF

Positive Solutions was engaged to prepare a Feasibility Study for the Redevelopment of the Gallery, with a specific focus on determining the best site. Our project team included The Maytrix Group, Kerstin Thompson Architects and Slattery. The task was to provide recommendations for the future location, design, usage, management and direction of the Wangaratta Art Gallery.

> OUR APPROACH

The consulting team listened carefully to the views of Gallery staff, and drew on the specifications of other regional galleries, to prepare a preliminary schedule of accommodation for the future Gallery. A weighted set of evaluation criteria was prepared to inform the assessment of six identified sites. We wrote a detailed analysis of each of the sites before shortlisting two, in addition to the current site, for further investigation and final selection. Our report included context on the role of regional galleries, and the benefits a new Wangaratta Art Gallery would bring to this important rural city.

> THE RESULTS

Positive Solutions delivered a report detailing future Gallery requirements, site options and a detailed evaluation, as well as a cost plan for three of the sites identified. The preferred sites were approved as a basis for advancing the development of the Gallery.

Project Description