NT museum in secret talks over European masterworks — but there's a catch

Key points

• The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is in confidential talks with French lenders, including the Musée d'Orsay, to bring European masterworks to Darwin. The museum says the exhibitions depend on winning the operator role for the State Square gallery, which the Northern Territory government is still assessing through an expression of interest process.
• A decision was previously expected by mid-2026 but has not yet been made. Shadow Arts Minister Chansey Paech urged the government to open the gallery for its intended purpose.
• The building's construction is due to be finalised by the end of October.