Project Bulletin #9 - 11 October 2011

Director Kirsten Paisley gives the SAM staff a site tour in September 2011

Following the resignation of project Superintendent Kevin Gould in July, recruitment for his replacement is now complete and Andrew Farrell commenced in the role on Monday, 10th October. Andrew is the first point of call for building related matters and can be reached on (03) 5832 9595. We would like to thank Allan Phillips, the Acting Superintendent during the recruitment process, for all of his hard work on the redevelopment.

CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

• All of the upstairs walls have been framed up
• The external glass entry doorway has been installed
• The kiln has been installed
• Concrete at the front entrance has been laid

INTERRUPTIONS TO BUSINESS AS USUAL

• There are no further interruptions to business currently planned, however Graeme Pollard, Team Leader of Major Projects, will send through notifications if anything arises up in the coming weeks.
• We extend our thanks to all users of, and visitors to, the Eastbank building and Council offices who have been inconvenienced (by the closure to the corridors or on site noise) for your patience during the build so far.

PROJECT TIME-FRAME

• Morretto's building plan is going to schedule and all activities are progressing well. At this stage, the site is expected to be handed back to the SAM team on 23 December 2011. Following the handover Museum staff will install two new temporary exhibitions and hang six new collection galleries in preparation for the reopening on 18 February 2012 as Shepparton Art Museum (SAM).

IN THE MEANTIME, WHAT IS THE ART MUSEUM TEAM UP TO?

• Acting Director Ryan Johnston commenced work on Monday 12 September and Kirsten Paisley is now on maternity leave.
• New collections curator and registrar, Elise Routledge, commenced on 29 August.
• Planning for our public launch party on Saturday 18 February, 2012 is underway. Save the date - it is set to be an event to remember.
• Installing Sir John Longstaff's portrait of Sir Murray Bourchier in the foyer of the Shepparton RSL where it is now on public view as part of a fundraising campaign for a Sir Murray Bourchier Memorial.
• Delivering a six month Arts in Education Residency Project, titled "Little Treasures" at Numurkah Primary School.
• Preparing for the opening of applications for the 2012 Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Art Award.
• Preparing exhibition production for the opening of the 2012 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award and the Sir John Longstaff exhibition Portrait of a Lady.

For general information on the Building Project and SAM please contact the Museum team on (03) 5832 9861.