Powerhouse Museum receives transformative investment

The Powerhouse Museum has today welcomed the NSW Government’s $480-$500 million transformative investment into one of Australia’s most revered and loved museums, Powerhouse Ultimo.

The renewal will see Powerhouse Ultimo focus on design and fashion, presenting exhibitions that feature the museum’s significant collections, international exclusive exhibitions and programs that support the design and fashion industries.

The expansion will deliver renewed and expanded exhibition and public space, connecting the Powerhouse Museum to the City by re-orienting the Museum to the Goods Line and connecting to adjacent precincts.

A significant investment in the development of a creative industries precinct will deliver subsidised studio and workspaces at Ultimo for creative industries, delivering a thriving active precinct that is an active contributor to the growing night-time economy.

More than 5000 regional and remote students from across NSW will further their design and fashion education through immersive experiences at The Academy, which will provide residential accommodation within the museum precinct.

Museum Trust President, Peter Collins AM QC said:

“Over the past three decades the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo has inspired thousands of visitors with one of the world’s most important collections across applied arts and sciences. Just like the V&A in London and Smithsonian in the U.S; whose vast and multidisciplinary collections create incredible experiences for visitors the world over.”

“This renewal will pave the way for generations to come to experience even more of our 500 000-strong collection through Australia’s leading museum of design and fashion in Ultimo and the new home of science and technology at our flagship, Powerhouse Parramatta.”

Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah said:

“The renewal of our institution will deliver two world-class museums – with a design and fashion focus at Powerhouse Ultimo and our flagship museum focused on science and technology museum, Powerhouse Parramatta.”

“This visionary investment will see the expansion of our exhibition spaces as well as renewal of our historic exhibition spaces. We will create a vibrant public square beside the Goods Line, and creative industries workspaces that will become home for Australian designers.”

“I thank the NSW Government for their extraordinary commitment to our institution and to arts and culture in NSW.”

Planning for a design competition led by Create Infrastructure and the Powerhouse Museum will now commence. The Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo remains open.

For more information visit maas.museum/powerhouse-renewal