National Gallery announces $33m contribution to the Canberra economy

Two exhibitions celebrating First Nations and Australian stories at the National Gallery contributed $33 million to the Kamberri/Canberra economy in 2022, according to an independent study.

The National Gallery of Australia has released a report on the economic and community impact to Kamberri/Canberra of exhibitions Jeffrey Smart (11 Dec 2021 – 5 May 2022) and the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony (26 March 2022 – 31 July 2022).

The report, conducted by Neilsen Sport, found the major summer and winter exhibitions delivered a combined $33 million to the Canberra economy, with the biggest impact coming from overnight visitors, who spent more than 184,000 nights in the capital (averaging 2.3 nights per head).

Two thirds of the 170,000 visitors travelled from interstate, including 80% who said they visited specifically to see the exhibitions. Notably, 96% of visitors reported loving the exhibitions and 88.5% of interstate guests wanted to come back to see more of Canberra.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said: ‘Congratulations to the National Gallery of Australia for these tremendous results. Major exhibitions hosted at our cultural institutions are proven visitation drivers. They are a critical part of our visitor economy and will be key to helping us reach our target of a $4 billion visitor economy by 2030. This is an incredible result and demonstrates the appetite within our local community and amongst visitors to celebrate and enjoy Australian art in all its diversity.’

National Gallery Director Nick Mitzevich said: ‘The National Gallery is an iconic Canberra attraction and we’re delighted people continue to make us a must-see destination. It is also heartening to see the high number of Canberrans who attended the Gallery, with nearly 90% of locals agreeing the exhibitions create a real buzz in the capital.’

About the exhibitions

JEFFREY SMART
11 Dec 21 – 5 May 22
This major exhibition celebrated and commemorated one hundred years since the birth of acclaimed Australian artist Jeffrey Smart. One of Australia’s most celebrated artists, Smart sought inspiration from the world around him – looking to the environment of urban and industrial modernity – which he transformed through his imaginative sense of theatre and intimate understanding of geometry and composition. His potent and intriguing images have become emblematic of 20th and 21st century urban experience.

4TH NATIONAL INDIGENOUS ART TRIENNIAL: CEREMONY
26 Mar — 31 Jul 22
Ceremony was the fourth iteration of the National Gallery’s flagship exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, the National Indigenous Art Triennial. This immersive exhibition and program of events was created to challenge and unsettle; animate and heal. Through the work of 35 artists from around Australia, Ceremony revealed how the practice of ceremony is at the nexus of Country, culture and community. Following its season in Canberra, Ceremony has been taken on the road as a National Gallery Touring Exhibition. For tour dates and venues visit nga.gov.au.

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Kirsty Noffke
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