Plans for what would have been a major art gallery in Darwin’s CBD remain uncertain, with a government decision about who will move into the $145 million building not expected until mid-2026.
Originally costed at $50 million, construction on the Northern Territory Art Gallery (NTAG) began in 2021 under the former Territory Labor government, but costs for the building have since blown out by nearly $100 million.
The building in Darwin’s State Square was slated to be a new government-run gallery to showcase artworks from the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT’s (MAGNT) collection — primarily pieces from the NT and Asia — which currently have nowhere to be displayed.
Earlier this year, the Country Liberal Party (CLP) government unexpectedly announced that it would consider other proposals for use of the $145 million building, rebranding it as the State Square Building.
The Country Liberal Party scrapped the former Labor government’s planned art gallery after sweeping to power at last year’s election. (ABC News: Marcus Kennedy)
While the government has left the door open for the building to fulfil its intended purpose as an art gallery, exactly what art it will exhibit remains uncertain.
In September, the government said it was considering splitting up the lease, but it also remains unclear what might inhabit the new build, due for completion next year.
Northern Territory Arts Minister Jinson Charls said the department was reviewing applications, with a decision expected mid-2026.
“There are a lot of people who are interested in what it’s going to be — same as me — I am eagerly awaiting what’s going to be the outcome for the State Square Building,” Mr Charls said.
Jinson Charls says he is “eagerly awaiting” the outcome from the pending applications. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)
In April last year MAGNT presented its plans for the NTAG’s opening exhibitions to a government steering committee, documents released under freedom of information (FOI) laws show.
But a representative of the Department of People, Sport and Culture said releasing the exhibition plans in full “would be contrary to the public interest”.
“Disclosure of plans for a project that did not proceed could affect future planning for the State Square Building,” department representative Deborah Butler said.
“I have determined that no overriding public interest justifies the release of the exempt information.”
MAGNT has declined to comment on its proposal, citing confidentiality requirements for interested parties.
Tourism association makes play for building
The Northern Territory government has said “wasteful spending” by the previous Labor government was behind the State Square Building needing to be put out to tender.
“NT Labor’s State Square Art Gallery blew out by $100 million and was never funded for operational costs, which is why a tender is now out to secure a future use for this building that benefits Territorians, boosts the economy, and makes our city centre a destination,” Treasurer Bill Yan said in a statement.
Plans for the ATSIAGA in Alice Springs were scrapped in October after a stand off between the territory and federal governments. (Supplied)
Industry lobby group Tourism Top End said it has submitted an expression of interest (EOI) for use of part of the State Square Building.
“The EOI is in partnership with other Darwin businesses which would utilise the entire building,” its general manager Samantha Bennett said in a statement.
Art critic labels NT government gallery plan ‘pure madness’
Financial figures released by the government show around $26.8 million was spent by the Labor government on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery of Australia (ATSIAGA) in Alice Springs, and planning for the Myilly Point museum, abandoned in 2018.
The ATSIAGA was sensationally scrapped this year after a rift between the NT and federal governments.
Mr Yan, who is also the NT’s infrastructure minister, gave his federal counterpart Catherine King an ultimatum to approve his government’s downsized plans for the Alice Springs gallery or it wouldn’t go ahead.
Ms King refused to be forced into a decision, prompting Mr Yan to scrap the plans.