24 June 2016

What’s news with the SAM project?

Coalition pledges $10m for new SAM

Minister for Regional Development and Nationals Deputy Leader Senator Fiona Nash visited Shepparton to pledge $10million towards the construction of a new SAM if the Coalition is returned to government in July’s federal election.

Mayor Dinny Adem said “the investment would have a significant positive impact on the economy of our region.”

“The new SAM is a game changer for Greater Shepparton. It will position our region as a strong tourism destination, attract more visitors, entice more people to live here and entice investors to the area, and diversify our economy.”

Cr Adem recognised the hard work to date from Council staff and key members of the community including the SAM Foundation. “There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to secure this major project for Shepparton including complex funding applications and lobbying of government.” SAM Director Dr Rebecca Coates said “This is hugely exciting news, and means the dream of a new SAM museum is one big step closer. It’s been a real team effort to get this far and I look forward to continuing to work with key partners and stakeholders, including the Federal Government, the State Government, the SAM Foundation, and of course Greater Shepparton’s own support for and commitment to the project,” said Dr Coates.

Greater Shepparton City Council Director Community Kaye Thomson said it was good news to have commitment from the Coalition. “The announcement today from Minister Nash is very encouraging and provides recognition that a new SAM is an important project for our region now and into the future.”

New Community Member for Project Board

Well-known local arts identity and Shepparton Festival life member John Head has been appointed as a community representative member of the new SAM

Project Board. Mr Head joins the Build Shepparton Art Museum Project Board Committee which oversees the management of the project milestones and communications to councillors and the community. The milestones include the architectural design, construction plans, planning and building permits, funding and governance.

“I believe a new SAM has the potential to put Shepparton on the cultural tourism map as a link between the established and financially proven model of the art museums of Albury and Bendigo,” said Mr Head. “I am very much looking forward to being a part of the Project Board and helping to guide the process of building the new SAM.”

Architectural Design Competition

The Project Board will be advertising the architectural design competition for the new Shepparton Art Museum at the end of July. The two stage competition will be conducted in accordance with the Australian Institute of Architects’ Competition Guidelines and endorsed by the Institute. It will commence with an Expression of Interest asking for a design approach and a vision for the new facility as well as a capability statement.

From the Expression of Interest, a shortlist of architectural firms will be asked to submit a concept design for consideration. The management of the design competition will be overseen by a panel of experts including the formal position of a Competition Advisor.

Details available at www.greatershepprton.com.au from 29 July 2016.

SAM Foundation Receives $1m Donation

A significant philanthropic grant was announced on 6 May fromthe Sir Andrew Fairley Foundation and the Gantner family who have each agreed to commit an amount of $500,000 to the project.

The Chair of the Sir Andrew Fairley Foundation, Andrew Fairley AM said “We are supporting this project because it will create positive and profound change in the cultural ethos of this great city. Sir Andrew Fairley was instrumental in the creation of the original Shepparton Art Gallery, which laid the foundations for the outstanding collection that is housed in the current SAM.”

The donation from the Gantner family comes on top of their already generous commitment to donate a significant collection of Australian indigenous artwork to the new SAM once the

construction is completed. Carrillo Gantner AO, a SAM Foundation Director said “I am delighted at the progress that’s been made on this project. I sense a strong groundswell of passionate support, not just for a new arts facility for the city and the Goulburn Valley, but also for the wider economic, social and cultural impact on the entire region.”

The SAM Foundation has been established to raise funding from private and philanthropic sources. SAM Foundation Chairman, Peter Quinn said “We are truly thrilled to have received this news of a further $1m committed to our vision for a new SAM. To have received the commitment from two such distinguished participants in our community speaks volumes for the importance of the project.”

 Information Session

A large audience of local residents attended a public information session on the new SAM on 21 April to hear the latest updates on the project.

The information session was a Q & A session with a welcome by the Mayor, Cr Dinny Adem and a presentation by Greater Shepparton City Council Director Community Kaye Thomson and SAM Director Dr Rebecca Coates.

The Council resolution of May 2015 was widely discussed and attendees were able to ask questions. If you would like to view videos of the event you can find them at youtube.com

Site Location Update

The Planning sub-group of the Project Board are working towards ensuring all documentation for the design process is completed. This includes:

• Cultural heritage sub plan
• Aborist report
• Victoria Park Lake Master Plan
• Traffic Management Plan
• Feature survey and services report
• Flood report
• GeoTech soil contamination report

This process will ensure all documentation is in place before the architectural design competition opens.

 Governance update

Greater Shepparton City Council endorsed the governance model and a draft constitution for the new Shepparton Art Museum at April’s Council meeting.

Council endorsed a governance model of a new Company Limited by Guarantee. The model was determined after a workshop with councillors, the Project Board and other key stakeholders was held to discuss all the options for governance of the new SAM.

Greater Shepparton City Council CEO Peter Harriott and SAM Foundation Chair Peter Quinn were appointed as the founding members/directors for Shepparton Art Museum Limited. Greater Shepparton City Council Director Community Kaye Thomson said a Company Limited by Guarantee is the only effective way for Council to share the expanded operating risks of a new Shepparton Art Museum. “This governance model allows the company to secure capital and operating funds for the project. The private funds required would be unable to be raised under an alternative

model.” “The skills-based Board will have two nominated representatives from Council and will comprise people with designated skills relevant to a significant cultural institution who are able to assist the Governance Board in its objectives,” said Ms Thomson.

The existing collection will be owned by the Council as will the new building which will be leased to the Art Museum Board for a peppercorn rent. The Art Museum Board may also accept and own works of art, which will enable gifts to the Museum which would otherwise not occur, with private donors often unwilling to give art to a local government entity.

The first meeting of SAM Ltd Board was held in May 2016.