Museum Story

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Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, yapang

The Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, yapang (MAC) is uniquely positioned within 5 hectares of leafy grounds on the shore of Lake Macquarie, Australia's largest salt-water lake. The award-winning art museum has a cafe, retail shop, Sculpture Park and mosaic pathways. MAC is an ideal destination for visitors and guided tours are available for small and large groups. Admission to MAC is free.

Formerly known as Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, MAC was established in 1980. First housed in Lake Macquarie’s former council chambers on Main Road at Speers Point, the gallery relocated to First Street, Booragul in 1996.

The new site is significant to both the local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, most importantly as a campsite and then as a parcel of land granted to Dr. James Mitchell in 1842.

The gallery originally occupied Awaba House on this site from 1996 to 2000 when a decision was made to construct the new state-of-the-art facility. Designed by Colin Still of Cox Richardson, the new art gallery building was launched in May 2001 and saw the addition of an art seminar room in 2008.

With a growing audience, higher demands for public exhibition space and a rapidly developing collection, the need to expand again, became essential. With a grant from the NSW government and assistance from Lake Macquarie City Council, the gallery underwent a $2.3 million transformation in 2019 resulting in more exhibition and collection space, a new name, new brand and the establishment of yapang, a dedicated Aboriginal program and space.

The recent exciting transformation has established MAC as a destination and enhanced its position as a dynamic, popular regional facility.

The Museum of Art and Culture redevelopment project was supported by the NSW Government through the Regional Cultural Fund.

Our Vision

For MAC to be a lively place where people are engaged in, inspired by, and connected with arts, culture and fresh ideas.

Our Mission

To ensure MAC is inclusive, accessible and captivating by initiating and presenting dynamic, refreshing, creative and diverse art and cultural programs, engaging multiple communities as colleagues as makers, participants, audiences, collaborators and supporters.

About Museum of Art and Culture, yapang

The word yapang means “journey or pathway” in Awabakal and is the name given to the Aboriginal program at the Museum of Art and Culture. yapang is also the cultural name given to the venue.

You can listen to the cultural name of the venue in the player below.

Acknowledgement

Dhumaan ngayin ngarrakalu kirraanan barayidin

We remember and respect the Ancestors who cared for and nurtured this Country.

Ngarrakalumba yuludaka bibayilin barayida baaduka

It is in their footsteps that we travel these lands and waters.

Lake Macquarie City Council dhumaan Awabakala ngarrakal yalawaa, yalawan, yalawanan

Lake Macquarie City Council acknowledges the Awabakal people and Elders past, present and future.

Cultural information provided by Miromaa Aboriginal Language and Technology Centre.