Expressions of Interest

The new Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) building will be an outstanding example of exciting, best-practice contemporary museum architecture designed by one of Australia’s leading architects on a remarkable site in regional Victoria.

“SAM will be a museum with the artist at its centre, a meeting place for the region’s people, providing captivating art experiences and connection to the Aboriginality and multicultural origins of the region’s heritage.”

— SAM Business Case

SAM’s curatorial program engages with its local context, while exploring contemporary themes and ideas that are global in their scope and ambitions. The museum is noted for its ceramics collections, which is one of the most important in regional Australia. It also has significant collections of Indigenous art from around Australia, signature historic paintings by leading Australian artists, and a growing collection by leading contemporary artists.

The SAM building will foster a strong sense of engagement, ownership and pride for visitors and local audiences alike. This is an opportunity to celebrate and enhance the rich and diverse Shepparton community, which includes the largest Aboriginal community in Victoria and people from many parts of the world.

Expressions of Interest for the design competition were open from Friday 29 July 2016 and closed at 4pm on Wednesday 31 August 2016.