The Australian Museum (AM) will reopen to the public on Saturday 28 November after a 15 month $57.5m building transformation which has significantly increased public spaces and improved amenities within the historic museum complex on the corner of William and College Streets.
The NSW Government has also announced that general admission will be FREE to celebrate the reopening of the iconic institution, providing access to the AM for all and helping position the region’s leading natural history and culture museum among the best in the world.
In its most extensive renovation in decades, Australia’s first museum, originally founded in 1827, has redeveloped its public and exhibition spaces. This includes adding more than 3,000sqm of new public space, repurposed from back-of-house areas. Known as Project Discover, the transformation was made possible by the NSW Government contributing $50.5m and generous philanthropic support from AM private donors.
“Making general admission free to the public – both adults and children – is the icing on the cake for this extraordinary redevelopment and one which the NSW Government is honoured to support,” Minister for the Arts, The Hon Don Harwin MLC, said.
“The Australian Museum is now a truly civic space for Sydney, one which we all will be able to visit often and be incredibly proud of as it reinforces NSW’s reputation as a world centre for cultural experiences and creative industries, as well as for science and innovation.
“The Museum is at the cultural and scientific heart of the city. Project Discover propels this iconic institution into a new era,” Minister Harwin said.
The transformation significantly expands the AM’s touring exhibition hall from 850sqm to 1500sqm, allowing the AM to host one major international travelling exhibition or two smaller exhibitions at the same time. Project Discover has also transformed other public spaces including the creation of a new Museum Shop, a second café, an expanded Members Lounge, cloaking and new amenities.
The first exhibition to enter the AM’s new blockbuster gallery is Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family, an update on one of the AM’s most popular exhibitions, which has been touring in the USA and Europe for the past five years. In addition, the popular Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition will also return to the AM in the Grand Hall exhibition space in time for reopening.
Surviving Australia in the Vernon Wing/IMAGE: James Alcock
Major Opening Exhibition
Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family
While general admission to the new AM will be free, visitors will be able to purchase tickets to attend major international exhibitions, including Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family.
This unique exhibition focuses on the king of the dinosaurs, T.rex, and its eclectic Tyrannosaur family. It features a colossal collection of skeletons, skulls, fossil eggs and even fossilised dinosaur dung, revealing the stories and science behind these astonishing carnivores.
Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family also utilises the latest technology including immersive projections, animation and artificial intelligence (AI) to help explain how palaeontology works, how the Earth changes over time, what evolution is and how sudden environmental devastation can cause even the most dominant species to go extinct.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is recommended to book a timed ticket in advance for Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family. Paid tickets for this special exhibition can be booked online at Australian.Museum ($20 Adult, $16 Concession, $10 Child, Family packages available. Free and discounted tickets for AM Members).
Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Exhibition
This year’s Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition explores the changing nature of regional ecology and the impacts of climate change – one of the key focuses of the transformed AM. As a special treat for visitors, admission to the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition will be included with general admission to the AM, which will be completely free as part of reopening.
COVID-19 Safety
The AM is committed to keeping visitors and staff safe and has achieved the NSW Government’s ‘COVID Safe’ industry standard by demonstrating adherence to the respective Government and public health guidelines and the implementation of new safety measures, including:
· The AM’s staff will be trained to support visitors in enjoying their visit while staying safe.
· Limiting capacity in each of the AM spaces and galleries will allow visitors to maintain social distancing.
· Hand sanitiser will be available at all AM entrances, cafés, shops, toilets, lifts and gallery spaces.
· Protection screens will be installed in places such as cafés, shops and information desks.
TOP IMAGE: Photographer:James Alcock
The first coat of the finish is applied to the parquetry floor in the Grand Hall of the Australian Museum
