Murray Art Museum Albury (abbreviated MAMA) is a contemporary art museum located in Albury, Australia. Formerly known as the Albury Regional Art Gallery it was renamed as part of a $10.5 million refurbishment which included renovations to the former gallery building, the neighbouring burrows house and the extensions linking and extending both buildings into QEII Square.[2] Space in MAMA has extended from 832m² to 2036m² and has 10 gallery spaces over two levels. The building was designed by architect firm NBRS and Partners.[3]
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Established | October 2nd 2015 |
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Location | Dean Street, Albury, New South Wales Australia |
Coordinates | 36.08059°S 146.916753°E / -36.08059; 146.916753 |
Type | Art museum |
Director | Bree Pickering [1] |
Curator | Michael Moran [1] |
Website | www |
On the north facing terrace of the museum is Canvas Eatery, a restaurant operated by Tim Tehan. Canvas offers relaxed modern cuisine overlooking QEII Square. [4]
The museum manages the art collection of Albury City Council, an extensive collection of over 2800 items.[5] Early acquisitions to the collection were drawn from the Albury Art Prize, which was established in 1947.[6] The founding of the National Photography Prize in 1983 encouraged a new focus on contemporary Australian photography, building on some earlier acquisitions. The National Photography Prize continues to the present day and continues to be a key source of acquisitions. The photography collection comprise over 600 works and is one of the most important of its kind in Australia. It includes works by Tracey Moffatt, Max Dupain, Richard Woldendorp, Michael Riley, Destiny Deacon, Olive Cotton, Justine Varga and Phillip Quirk.[7]
Other highlights in the permanent collection include works by Russell Drysdale, Margaret Olley, Patrick Hartigan, Lorraine Connelly-Northey, Brook Garru Andrew, and Hany Armanious.
Murray Art Museum Albury opened on October 2, 2015, with the exhibition Wiradjuri Ngurambanggu (On Wiradjuri Country) and featured the work of contemporary indigenous artists Jonathan Jones, Brook Andrew, Lorraine Connelly-Northey, Karla Dickens and Nicole Foreshew.[8]
Major exhibitions have included:
The museum is a significant commissioner of new artworks by contemporary Australian artists,[10][11] as well as supporting new commissions by arts writers, independent curators[12] and partnerships with other cultural organisations locally and nationally.
Murray Art Museum Albury hosts a full suite of art education programs, workshops,[13] and short courses[14] for children[15] and adults. These studio art programs are held year-round and take place in the education suite within the museum.
The museum is well utilised by school groups, preschools, and other education providers as a destination for tours, excursions and studio art sessions.[16]
A range of monthly club meet ups are hosted at the museum, as well as exhibition openings, artist talks and art events linked to the exhibition program.[17]
Murray Art Museum Albury is supported by an independent fundraising organisation, the MAMA Art Foundation.[18] The Foundation is the primary supporter of the biennial National Photography Prize,[19] as well as providing funds for the acquisition of new work for the permanent collection.[20]
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