Last month the Northern Rivers Community Gallery saw the exciting upgrade from halogen exhibition lighting to energy efficient LED lamps.
The move to LED lights is expected to achieve energy consumption and cost savings of up to 98% when compared with the previous halogen lighting system. The reduction in heat emitted in the new LED lighting system, opposed to halogen lamps, will also provide significant reductions in energy consumption costs to maintain temperature control in the Gallery environment and is better for the artworks on display. The lighting upgrade will achieve significant operational savings, which will be reinvested back into arts and cultural activities for the community.
The previous halogen exhibition track lighting infrastructure was fitted in 2007 as part of the initial Gallery upgrades. Halogen technology is being phased out in Europe and the UK due to lack of energy efficiency and being replaced by LED technology. It was anticipated that by the end of 2018 the halogen globes for the existing system would no longer be manufactured making the system redundant. If funding wasn’t secured to upgrade the lighting, the Gallery faced the very real risk of being without lights in 2019.
As well as being more energy efficient, the new museum grade Erco lighting system allows for greater flexibility and more dynamic lighting capabilities enhancing the overall design of the gallery space.
To ensure the ongoing enjoyment and access to this important heritage listed building gallery staff worked toward securing funding for the upgrade over a two year period resulting in a combined $95, 000 funding contribution from the NSW Government through the Create NSW Regional Capital Grant and the Regional Cultural Fund.
This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government through the Create NSW Regional Capital Grant and the Regional Cultural Fund.
