MCA Director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor says: “These figures are a true testament to the success of the redevelopment. The Galleries and National Centre for Creative Learning are bustling with people, the MCA Cafe and Store are thriving and I am delighted to say that everywhere I turn, I see crowds interacting with art. The enthusiastic response to the redevelopment is evident everywhere. Sam Marshall’s response to the need for a more open and accessible MCA has clearly struck a chord.”
The redevelopment stemmed from the Museum’s exponential audience growth, that itself bore witness to the increased interest in contemporary art. Upon completion of the $53 million transformation, the MCA’s vision to facilitate access for everyone from school groups to people with disabilities turned into a reality and, says Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, “one that I am extremely proud of. The MCA is back and it is positively brimming with energy.”
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality, Racing and the Arts, George Souris, says: “I congratulate the MCA on these attendance figures. They attest to the success of the new MCA. Situated in one of Sydney’s prime locations, with a new-look contemporary art signifier, free admissions to world-class artistic programs and exhibitions, and stunning new public spaces, the MCA is an exciting place to be and a great destination for just about anyone.”
Over the four-day Easter weekend, nearly 30,000 people came to the Museum. On a regular weekend, there are just under 10,000 people and last week’s daily attendance figures averaged 4,600 visitors.
Nearly 4,000 people visited the National Centre for Creative Learning on the Opening Weekend and 5,908 people have experienced the Museum after-hours. The MCA Cafe, that offers stunning views of Sydney Harbour and Hany Armanious’ Fountain, has served 15,877 covers.
MCA Insight, the new MCA smartphone app that allows visitors to explore in more detail artworks on display, is averaging 280 downloads a week on iOS, and currently stands at 840.
With an ongoing schedule of events designed around Marking Time, Local Positioning Systems and Volume One: MCA Collection, Thursday Lates that see the Museum remain open until 9pm on Thursdays, special 24-hour showings of Christian Marclay:The Clock set to run until 3 June, Vivid and the 18th Biennale of Sydney just around the corner, the Museum looks forward to welcoming many more visitors in its new spaces. – www.mca.com.au