Canberra's national museums and galleries will receive the bulk of nearly $80 million in new funding for cultural institutions in the federal budget next week.
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The federal government will pour millions of dollars in additional spending into the popular tourist stops as they deal with the financial hit of COVID-19 and fund refurbishments to their buildings.
Among the institutions sharing in $79.9 million in Tuesday's budget are the National Gallery of Australia ($34.6 million), the National Library of Australia ($9.9 million), and the National Museum of Australia ($6 million).
The National Film and Sound Archive ($2 million) and the National Portrait Gallery ($1.6 million) will also receive funding.
Arts Minister Paul Fletcher and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ben Morton announced the funding on Friday after the government revealed it would spend $11 million to support repairs at Old Parliament House.
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"We recognise the challenges the pandemic has created for our national collecting institutions. That's why we are delivering this significant funding package to help rebuild the economy, secure jobs and support communities as we continue our resurgence from COVID-19," Mr Fletcher said.
More than $32 million of the funding will support the delivery of public services and programs, and $47.5 million will be allocated to five national institutions for capital works.
The National Library will use $2.9 million of its funding to support a largely-unfunded $24 million project to replace its decades-old air conditioning system.
The remaining $7 million will help sustain the library's operations and provide much-needed financial "breathing space", director-general Marie-Louise Ayres said.
National Museum director Mathew Trinca said the funding for his institution would support temporary and touring exhibitions, and services for schools groups visiting the museum.
"In our case the funds will allow us to continue to sustain operations that might otherwise be threatened without the support," he said.
The Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney ($7.4 million) and the Bundanon Trust ($7.1 million) are among other recipients of the new spending.
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