ALBURY’s art community is the big winner today as the Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) showcases its new facilities with a two-year redevelopment project now complete.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said that the Australian Government invested $3.5 million towards the $10.5 million redevelopment project.

“MAMA is one of the state’s largest and best equipped exhibition spaces. The redevelopment project demonstrates our ongoing commitment to deliver vital local community infrastructure,”
Mr Truss said.

“This high-quality facility will preserve and display art for future generations to come and enrich the cultural experience for all who visit.”

Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley joined with Albury City Council Mayor Henk van de Ven to open the Museum.

“The redeveloped museum will provide a welcome boost to the region’s economy, attracting tourists to Albury and creating 5.4 new fulltime equivalent jobs,” Ms Ley said.

Ms Ley also announced an additional $300,000 donation from the Commonwealth towards MAMA to permanently recognise the contribution of the former Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation (1974-2014) to the social, cultural and economic development of the border region.

Cr van de Ven said that the redevelopment works were extensive and created much needed additional flexible display spaces, permanent collection storage, workshop and administration areas, and new restaurant.

“We now have dedicated space to host public programs, children’s art workshops, special event and education workshops,” Cr van de Ven said.

“I am pleased that Albury City Council has been able to work with the Australian Government to produce such an important investment for the region.”