MCA's $53m facelift to begin next month

Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) is finally ready to go ahead with a $53
million facelift to help it attract major international exhibits and rival some of
the world's great modern arts spaces.
The project, which will start next month, is funded by a mix of government money and
private donations, including a $15 million injection from corporate adviser Simon
Mordant and his family.
A new 5000 sq metre contemporary extension will be built to the north of the
existing art deco building, providing a National Centre for Creative Learning,
extended gallery spaces and a new fully-accessible entrance.
NSW Premier Kristina Keneally joined state and federal government ministers at the
MCA on Tuesday to hail the "visionary" project, which was first floated in 2008.
"This redevelopment will allow our MCA to stand alongside the world's greatest
museums - the New York Museum of Modern Art, the Tate in London or the Museum of
Modern Art in San Francisco," she said.
Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese said the project will create 219
jobs during construction and bolster the economic activity that the MCA already
generates for the surrounding area, including The Rocks tourist precinct.
"So the MCA is good for business, it's good for tourism but it's also good for the
quality of life," he said.
Federal Arts Minister Peter Garrett acknowledged the private donation of $15 million
towards the project by MCA Foundation chairman Mr Mordant and his family.
"I want to acknowledge that extraordinary bequest, the size of which enables this
fantastic museum to continue to flourish and grow," Mr Garrett said.
The Mordants originally donated $5 million before adding another $10 million.
The NSW and federal governments have each contributed $13 million, the City of
Sydney threw in $1 million and a total of $7.45 million has been received from other
private donors.
All up, $49.75 million has been amassed to date for the project and the MCA will
make up the balance.
MCA director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor thanked everyone involved and made special note
of the Mordant donation.
"Without Simon and Catriona Mordant I would have probably given up quite a long time
ago," she said.
"Their initial donation of $5 million increased by $10 million in the last month to
really try and push us over the line has been extraordinary."
More than 500,000 people visit the MCA annually and that number is expected to grow
to 700,000 a year once the redevelopment is completed in early 2012.
The extension will not resemble the classic architecture of the existing building
but is expected to rival modern designs of similar institutions around the world.
"It will not be popular with everyone, no modern architecture is, and I'm looking
forward to healthy debate around it," Ms Macgregor told reporters.



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