Australia’s largest gallery will be known as The Fox: NGV Contemporary following a $100m from billionaire Lindsay Fox and his family.
Described as Melbourne’s answer to the Eiffel Tower, the building will be the National Gallery of Victoria’s (NGV) third site, feature more than 13,000 square metres of dedicated display space for art and design, and be built in the heart of Southbank bxjmtzywehind the NGV International.
The new gallery is part of a $1.7bn investment from the Andrews government to transform the Melbourne Arts Precinct, while the Ian Potter Foundation had previously committed $20m.
When making the announcement on Tuesday, Creative Industries Minister Danny Pearson described the gallery as “a jewel in Victoria’s crown” and “one of the greatest cultural projects in Australian history”.
He also thanked the Fox family for its generosity.
“This is an extraordinary gift to the people of Victoria and we thank Lindsay and Paula Fox and their family for their vision and generosity,” Mr Pearson said.
“Philanthropy can transform cities and NGV Contemporary will be a true game-changer – one of the largest galleries dedicated to contemporary art and design in the world and a global architectural icon.”
Mr Fox, the founder of the logistics company Linfox, and his family’s $100m donation is the largest cultural gift by a living donor for a capital program ever made to an Australian art museum.
It comes after years of contributions to the NGV, where Paula Fox is also a Foundation Board Member.
“This gift is the culmination of many years of passionate support for the NGV, its acquisitions and its wider program,” she said.
“We hope that our donation will inspire others in supporting this program to make this an icon for the future.”
The naming announcement was also made on Mr Fox’s birthday, though Mr Pearson made it clear that the state had received the more generous present.
“It may be Lindsay’s birthday, but what an incredible gift for Victoria,” he said.
