Revitalisation Program at the Australian Museum

Introduction

The Australian Museum's Revitalisation Program is the largest capital works program the Australian Museum has seen in almost 25 years. Stage One of the project will see the construction of a new Collections and Research Building, the refit of some existing laboratory and work spaces and the refurbishment of two major heritage galleries.

Since the Australian Museum first opened to the public nearly 150 years ago, the kind of space needed for the Museum's staff, collections and public programs has changed dramatically; not just in terms of size, but also in terms of environmental controls, specialist storage, equipment and technological needs. The result – a lot of people, objects, laboratories and storage mixed together in increasingly unsatisfactory conditions.

In the June 2004 budget, the NSW government announced it would allocate $40.9 million over five years to the Australian Museum for its Revitalisation Program. The Revitalisation Program will primarily help alleviate critical accommodation issues which have affected the Australian Museum over the past few decades.

NSW State Plan launched 14 November 2006

The Australian Museum is highlighted in the NSW State Plan that is now available on the NSW Government website.

For more information on the Revitalisation Program please call (+612) 9320 6000 during business hours or email.

Australian Museum's building history

2006

End of January 2006

More than Dinosaurs and Tracks Through Time exhibitions closed for gallery refurbishment. A human evolution program is available for schools through our Education Services Unit - (+612) 9320 6163.

February 2006

Upgrade of Museum’s heritage exhibition spaces.

Late 2006

Collections and Research Building construction begins

End of January 2007

Biodiversity and Kids' Island* close for gallery refurbishment.
* A dedicated under 5s activity space Kidspace is open throughout the refurbishment and beyond.

2007

Mid 2007

Installation begins on Dinosaurs and Surviving Australia exhibitions.

2008

Mid 2008

Dinosaurs exhibition opened 15 March 2008

Surviving Australia exhibition opens 28 June 2008

Late 2008

New Collections and Research Building opens for staff

early/mid 2011

Discover space opens