Bega Valley Regional Gallery facts for kids
| Location | Zingel Place, Bega |
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The South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA) is a cool art gallery in Bega, Australia. It used to be called the Bega Valley Regional Gallery. SECCA shows off modern Australian art with about ten new exhibitions each year.
In 2016, the gallery grew! It opened two new art spots: one at Merimbula Airport and another at the Port of Eden Welcome Centre. SECCA is the only public art gallery in South Eastern New South Wales. Other nearby galleries include Goulburn Regional Art Gallery and Shoalhaven Regional Gallery.
The gallery has a full-time curator and a casual learning helper. They work hard to offer many fun activities. Each year, SECCA hosts about 40 public programs. These include film nights, drawing, printmaking, and painting workshops. They also offer new media workshops and talks by artists. The gallery wants everyone to be able to enjoy art.
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How Art Reaches Everyone
The way people enjoy art has changed a lot. Since 2020, many art groups have moved their shows online. This digital shift means more people can experience art. It helps people with disabilities and those living in regional areas.
Before the pandemic, people in regional Australia loved going to art events. Now, many also enjoy art online. About 67% of people in regional areas access art online. But seeing art in person is still important for communities. The art world is working to be open to everyone, everywhere.
Gallery History
The gallery is located inside the Bega Valley Shire Council building. It opened in 1988. The local community has always loved the gallery. About 12,000 people visit it every year.
The gallery started because a local group, the Bega Valley Arts and Crafts Society, needed a place to show their art. This group began in 1946. When the Regional Gallery opened, the society gave its art collection to the council. This collection includes paintings by famous artists like Hilda Rix Nicholas and Julian Ashton.
In early 2021, the gallery started a big upgrade. They doubled the exhibition space. They also added new workshop areas. This project helps the gallery show more of its growing art collection.
How the Gallery Gets Money
The gallery gets money from the Bega Valley Shire Council. This shows how important art is to the area. Create NSW also gives money each year for the gallery's art programs. The gallery also applies for grants from other groups. This helps them offer more art shows and public activities.
The Art Collection
SECCA looks after the art collections from the Bega Valley Arts & Craft Society and the Shirley Hannan Trust. The gallery also helps choose and care for public art around the region.
The main focus of SECCA's permanent collection is modern portraits, landscapes, and Indigenous artworks. The gallery can also accept art donations through a special government program.
Awards and Prizes
The gallery runs two cool art prizes:
- Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award: This award happens every two years. It's for realistic portraits. The winner gets $50,000! There are also smaller prizes for other artists.
- The Shirl' National Youth Portraiture Prize: This annual prize started in 2014. It's for young artists aged 16 to 25. The winning artwork is added to the gallery's permanent collection. The winner receives $10,000.
Volunteers
The gallery relies on amazing volunteers. They help set up exhibitions and keep the gallery looking great. They also help at exhibition openings and public events. About 40 people volunteer regularly. Many are retired professionals who love their community.
Memberships
The Bega Valley Regional Gallery is part of several important art groups. These include the National Association for the Visual Arts, Museums & Galleries NSW, and Regional & Public Galleries NSW. They are also a member of the Aboriginal Culture, Heritage & Arts Association.
