Fox Family pledge $100 million towards NGV Contemporary

The Victorian Government and National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) are grateful for the extraordinary generosity of Lindsay Fox AC and Paula Fox AO, who have pledged $100 million towards NGV Contemporary – the largest cultural gift for a capital program ever made to an Australian art museum by a living donor.

The gift towards NGV Contemporary coincides with the 85th birthday of Mr Fox and is offered in recognition of NGV Contemporary’s important role in enriching the cultural and civic lives of all Victorians. This unprecedented act of philanthropy reflects the Fox family’s long-held commitment to uplifting the Victorian community through their wide-ranging philanthropic giving and fundraising.

In recognition of the Fox family’s extraordinary generosity, NGV Contemporary will be named The Fox: NGV Contemporary.

Paula Fox AO, NGV Foundation Board member, said: ‘On behalf of my husband and family, as long-time supporters of the Gallery, we believe in the vital work of the NGV in making the arts accessible to the wider community…This gift is the culmination of many years of passionate support for the NGV, its acquisitions and its wider program. We believe in the impact of the incredible work of the Gallery, which brings joy to our community through art and design. We hope that our donation will inspire others in supporting this program to make this an icon for the future.’

Tony Ellwood AM, Director, NGV, said: ‘We are truly astonished by this extraordinary act of giving from the Fox family and we are overwhelmed by the incredible generosity and support of Lindsay and Paula Fox…This awe-inspiring donation will ensure that Victoria remains a centre of artistic excellence for many generations to come and that The Fox: NGV Contemporary will be a source of community pride for all Victorians, as well as a meaningful cultural legacy for the Fox family’ Ellwood said.

This gift builds upon the Fox family’s significant contributions to the arts, housing and medical research sectors. The Fox family have been valued supporters of the NGV for almost 20 years and have generously contributed to many significant acquisitions of major works of art and design, with a focus on both historic and contemporary international art and Indigenous Australian art.

In addition to their support of the NGV Collection, the family have also made generous contributions towards the presentation of the popular NGV Kids exhibitions, reflecting their passionate support of initiatives for children and families.

Located at 77 Southbank Boulevard, Melbourne, The Fox: NGV Contemporary will be designed by Angelo Candalepas and a team of 20 leading architecture, design and engineering firms from around Victoria and Australia. This new 30,000 square metre Victorian landmark will celebrate the central role of art and design in contemporary life and features dramatic arched entries, a spherical hall, state-of-the art exhibition galleries and an expansive rooftop terrace with stunning vistas of Melbourne.

The Fox: NGV Contemporary will strengthen the NGV’s reputation for promoting local and international art and design at its major pre-existing galleries – NGV International on St Kilda Road and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square. Visit ngv.melbourne to learn more.