These plans are already underway, thanks to a $21,500 state government grant to build a new roof over the outside workshop area.

The Community Building Partnership program grant will allow the Moree Cultural Art Foundation to replace the old timber pergola and replace the rotting beams, which date back to the 1980s.

Moree Plains Gallery director Vivien Clyne said the funding will allow them to construct an insulated steel roof over the verandah, making the space more comfortable, usable and practical.

“It’s very exciting,” she said.

“It means we can double the size of our workshops and double the workable space in all weather, which will really help.

“We’ll be able to fit more people out there and run different programs outside.

“It will also help with electricity costs, particularly in summer, as it will prevent some of the heat building up inside, allowing us to reduce our air conditioning use.”

As plans for the outdoor roof extension get underway, gallery staff have focussed their attention on the inside ceilings of the gallery space which are in desperate need of new paint.

Ms Clyne believes the roof hasn’t been painted in 30 years, since the old building was converted into an art gallery in 1988, and as a result, the paint has begun to flake off the ceiling, getting progessively worse over the past few months.

“It’s embarrassing,” Ms Clyne said.

“The damage is an eyesore for visitors to the gallery and certainly doesn’t reflect the care staff take to care for the building and the art displayed inside.”

To help cover the cost of repainting the ceiling Moree Plains Gallery has started a GoFundMe page.

“We’re hoping to raise $5,000 which covers the cost of the paint and means we don’t have to cut out anything we have planned for the year,” Ms Clyne said.

“We could pay for the paint but it would cut money out of our budget for other projects such as art education programs for kids and programs that really benefit the community.”

In addition to the ceiling repairs and outdoor roof extensions, the gallery bathrooms will also undergo a makeover and will be updated to provide disabled access thanks to a $59,000 grant which was announced by Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall late last year.

Ms Clyne said these renovations are part of the gallery’s strategic plan to upgrade the building over the next few years, in line with an exciting re-brand.

“This year’s going to be massive,” she said.

“We’ve got a lot of exciting things happening.”

Mr Marshall said the two grants will help the gallery’s plans to grow.

“The gallery operates six days a week and they have a wide and varied program of workshops and activities that are engaging more and more people across the community so this funding really meets a need,” he said.

“The Moree Plains Art Gallery is moving forward with cultural events and it’s more than just a gallery now; it is a true cultural centre offering workshops for adults and children that function as art therapy.”

Painting of the ceiling begins today and Ms Clyne is hopeful it can be finished within a week, in time for their upcoming exhibition ‘Being Tiwi’ which opens on Friday, February 17.

The works to provide disabled facilities as well as update and renovate the old bathrooms at the gallery is expected to be done later this year, but the gallery hopes to do the roof extension and upgrade before July.

If you would like to support Moree Plains Gallery’s ceiling repair, go to www.gofundme.com/moree-plains-gallery-ceiling-repair.