Revamped museum opens its doors HOBART'S credentials as a cultural tourism destination have received another fillip as visitors flocked to the newly renovated Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery over the weekend. More than 14,000 people filed through the museum as it reopened after closing its doors in November. The Friday opening coincided with the first day of the state's biennial arts festival, Ten Days on the Island. The historic waterfront museum's $30 million renovations are the first stage of a planned -- but unfunded -- $200m "redevelopment vision," including a raised roof and mezzanine in its central gallery and more than 2000sq m of gallery space featuring six newly curated exhibitions. The revamp includes disabled access to the institution's four heritage-listed buildings for the first time. Deputy director of public programs Peter West said the decision to shut TMAG's doors over summer -- peak tourist season -- had been vindicated by the weekend's turnout. He said it was simpler to renovate without having to manage visitors at the same time. These are heritage buildings, and it was just too hard trying to get the job completed. TMAG boasts annual visitation of 330,000 year. A new entrance facing Constitution Dock welcomes visitors to the sandstone building.