The Australian War Memorial’s new Anzac Atrium. Photo: ArtsHub.
After six years in construction and millions of taxpayer dollars spent on its development, one of the country’s most hallowed sites of remembrance has just opened the doors on some major new museum spaces dedicated to Australia’s modern-day military and peacekeeping missions, including in the Middle East, East Timor, Bougainville, Rwanda and Cambodia.
It’s a historic building project, and one that has not been without criticism for the Australian War Memorial, given its massive $550 million price tag and intention to expand its museum spaces by around 80%.
ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
