Tamworth Regional Gallery strategic plan: council sets out vision for future of the gallery, including building redevelopment

Tamworth Regional Council approved the strategic plan that includes a facelift for the century-old gallery and the steps to improve engagement, sustainability and excellence.

As part of the redevelopment there will be a small extension for the library and gallery, director Bridget Guthrie said.

"We are at capacity, so we will get more space for workshops and students to use that is desperately needed," she said.

"It also includes a cafe which would be a shared resource for all of us, it just provides an opportunity for all of our cultural services to be located in one area and not work in silos."

The plan will be put into action on July 1 for the next four years and is a guiding document that gives direction to the operation, staff, vision, purpose and goals.

In particular it focuses on values like equity, access, authenticity and courage and sets out guidelines for more inclusive exhibitions.

Attendance has continued to grow at the gallery, in 2019, 66,740 people walked through the doors and went to workshops.

The goal is to have 30 exhibitions each year that showcase regional and Aboriginal artists, works by people with a disability and those from diverse backgrounds.

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Ms Guthrie said the redevelopment of a theatre and cultural precinct, if it went ahead, would present a lot of new opportunities.

"We shouldn't be disadvantaged because we live in a regional area," she said.

"We want to have access to high calibre art here in Tamworth and it's important we provide that inspiration to young budding artists with cultural tourism and economic opportunities."

The plan was approved on Tuesday.