SYDNEY MODERN TAKES ANOTHER STEP FORWARD

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for the Arts Don Harwin today announced that Richard Crookes Constructions has been selected as the contractor to build the Art Gallery of NSW's Sydney Modern Project, which remains firmly on track to be delivered within its $344 million budget.

"The Sydney Modern Project will offer outstanding arts and cultural experiences to the community and visitors from across the world," Ms Berejiklian said.

"The Sydney Modern Project will almost double the current gallery space to show more of the State's art collection, including more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks, as well as hosting major international exhibitions."

Mr Harwin said the Sydney Modern Project, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects SANAA, is expected to increase gallery visitation to two million people a year and inject more than $1 billion into the NSW economy over 25 years.

"The project will create a series of interlocked pavilions that step down towards Woolloomooloo and Sydney Harbour, following the natural topography of the land," Mr Harwin said.

A decommissioned WWII naval oil tank, underground next to the Eastern Distributor, will be transformed into a unique contemporary art space.

The Sydney Modern Project will also include an outdoor Art Garden to connect the new and existing gallery buildings, a new entry plaza, rooftop art terraces and space for research and education.

"The NSW Government sincerely thanks the generous philanthropists who have raised more than $100 million to make this project possible," Mr Harwin said.

President of the Art Gallery of New South Wales Board of Trustees, David Gonski AC said: "This is an exciting time for the state's leading art museum as we move closer to realising our compelling vision for the future."

"We are truly grateful for the NSW Government's foresight in making such a significant public investment in the arts, and the very generous donors who have pledged support for the new building."

Art Gallery of New South Wales director Dr Michael Brand said: "I welcome the announcement of Richard Crookes Constructions as the selected contractor for the Sydney Modern Project."

"We look forward to the next stage of the project that will bring physical form to SANAA's magnificent design.  We are creating an extraordinary building that will transform our institution and the way visitors engage with art."

Construction of the Sydney Modern Project is expected to commence in the coming months and be complete in 2022.