A federal Labor government has promised to spend $20 million building an art gallery at Bundanon to showcase a collection of works by famous Australian artist Arthur Boyd.
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Shadow arts minister Tony Burke and Whitlam MP Steven Jones will announce the funding on Monday along with Gilmore candidate Fiona Philips as part of its set of commitments ahead of the upcoming 2019 Federal election.
Established in 1993 under then Prime Minister Paul Keating, the Bundanon Trust supports arts practice and engagement with the arts through its residency, education, exhibition and performance programs.
The trust is located on a 1,100 hectare property located on the banks of the Shoalhaven River and was a gift to the public by Arthur Boyd and his wife Yvonne.
Mr Jones said the property, along with Mr Boyd's collection of works, was one of the most significant philanthropic gifts to the arts in Australian history and now worth in excess of $50 million.
"The Trust holds more than 1,200 works specifically by Arthur Boyd but most of his works have not been exhibited," Mr Jones said.
"They are currently crowded together in a storage facility without proper gallery racks in a location vulnerable to bushfire. Labor's investment will unlock this magnificent collection and help to transform the site into a significant tourist destination."
It is anticipated more than 170 jobs would be created during the construction phase, with 69 new jobs after opening.
"We know that investment in cultural assets can transform a region's economy...Labor can see this potential for the South Coast."
Mr Jones said the $20M investment would help deliver a "world class gallery" built into the side of a hill on the property, as well as collection storage facilities, teaching spaces, visitor services and additional accommodation for residential school activity and conferencing.
