“After careful consideration and consultation with the government and our stakeholders, we have made the difficult decision to postpone Bundanon’s official opening and to cancel the IMPULSE festival this weekend,” says Bundanon Trust CEO Rachel Kent.

“In this time of unprecedented weather conditions, keeping our community and visitors safe is our number one priority. “

Established in 1993, Bundanon was gifted to the public by Arthur and Yvonne Boyd, representing one of the most significant acts of philanthropy in the history of arts in Australia.

Located on 1000 hectares of bush and parkland overlooking the Shoalhaven River, on the south coast of New South Wales, Bundanon is home to some 1448 works by Arthur Boyd, together with that of Boyd’s contemporaries such as Sidney Nolan, John Perceval, Joy Hester and Charles Blackman.

Bundanon also has an archive of artist books, scripts, compositions and working models related to artwork developed on the properties through the Artist in Residence program.

The new 500-square metre Bundanon Art Museum, designed by Kerstin Thompson Architects, will play host to a year-round program of exhibitions of modern, contemporary and First People’s art, as well as new commissions.

To commemorate this exciting new era for the museum, the IMPULSE Festival will see a variety of performers – such as Nooky, Miiesha and Ngaran Ngaran Dancers – celebrate stories of this unique place, old and new.

Bundanon CEO Rachel Kent says she is “delighted” to be celebrating the museum’s opening, and thanked the Australian Government and NSW Government for their financial support.

“With philanthropy and Bundanon’s own investment, the $34 million project will drive visitation and cultural tourism to the Shoalhaven region. The Australian Government, in the last budget, announced additional uplift funding of $6 million over two years,” says Kent.

The new museum also features The Bridge, a 160-metre long structure that spans the existing gully in the sloping hillside, housing a world-class creative learning centre with breakout spaces.

And if visitors would like more than a day to soak up the gorgeous natural and artistic surroundings, The Bridge also offers accommodation for up to 64 guests, with café and dining facilities providing sweeping views over the Shoalhaven River.

Built to withstand extreme weather, the Bundanon Art Museum and the accompanying Bridge encompass a net-zero energy target and support the natural system of water flow across the site.

The Bridge is also powered by solar panels that incorporate exemplary sustainability features, including passive temperature management, black water treatment, harvesting and storing of rainwater, local materials throughout and reduced reliance on fossil fuel sources.

The Official Opening will be rescheduled shortly, with more information to be announced in the coming week.

Lead image by Katie Rivers.

Keen to check out other amazing Australian art museums? Take a look at our article covering the new $50 million Shepparton Art Museum designed by Denton Corker Marshall