Newcastle Art Gallery Collection Valued at $145 Million After Landmark Donation and Review

newy.com.au – Newcastle Art Gallery’s collection has been revalued at $145 million, making it the most valuable public art collection in Australia outside a capital city. The independent valuation, completed this year, represents a $19 million increase since 2022, with substantial growth in the value of First Nations artworks and pieces by female artists.

City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said the valuation highlights the significance of the Gallery’s holdings, which have been largely unseen due to limited display space. “To date only 1 percent of the collection has been displayed in any one year due to a lack of space in the existing Gallery,” Mr Bath said. “This limitation will soon be overcome via a significant expansion and upgrading of the Newcastle Art Gallery to international standing.”

The expansion will enable permanent exhibition of works by artists including Brett Whiteley, John Olsen, William Dobell and Joseph Lycett, and position Newcastle to host national and international touring exhibitions.

Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the collection reflects more than 200 years of Australian art. “We are proud to be the custodians of the city significant and diverse collection,” she said. “We’re also proud of what this updated valuation tells us about the growing global celebration of so many significant First Nations artists, and the value and recognition for women artists.”

The latest valuation includes a major new contribution from philanthropists Simon Mordant AO and Catriona Mordant AM, who have donated 25 works from their private collection—the largest single donation they have made to any institution. “Newcastle was an obvious choice,” Mr Mordant said. “We looked for organisations where we believed in their leadership and their ambition.”

Ms Morton said the donation aligns with the Gallery’s future vision. “We are honoured to accept this gift as the custodian of the city’s collection,” she said. A special exhibition featuring the donated works is scheduled for 2026.

The Gallery’s redevelopment is supported by $5 million each from the Australian and New South Wales governments, $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation, and an ongoing $1 million public fundraising campaign.