The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery will close to the public from 12 November to allow for final building works and preparations ahead of the spectacular unveiling of the redevelopment in early 2013.

The Premier and Minister for the Arts, Lara Giddings, said the closure would allow TMAG staff and contractors to put the final touches on the $30 million stage one redevelopment.

"While of course it is not ideal to have one of our major cultural tourism destinations closed at a busy time of year, it is necessary to allow final building and fit-out work to take place," Ms Giddings said.

"The closure will only highten the sense of excitement and anticipation about what the redeveloped TMAG has in store for visitors.

"Stage One is set to provide 12 brand new exhibitions, a variety of education and public programs for visitors of all ages, improved facilities and unprecedented access to Australia's most significant and diverse collection of heritage buildings.

"This project is an important sign of the State Government's confidence in Tasmania's future, by providing planning and construction jobs as well as helping to build modern cultural attractions to underpin our tourism industry."

TMAG Director Bill Bleathman said works in all areas of the TMAG site would step up once the doors close to the public  in order to ensure the museum is ready to reopen in early 2013.

"We need to take this time to install the new facilities and exhibitions for visitors to enjoy, while also ensuring we take the best care of our heritage buildings and the treasures in our collection," Mr Bleathman said.

"The redeveloped museum will be able to host a greater range of exciting exhibitions and provide engaging visitor experiences, while also enabling the State Collection to be better cared for and more accessible than ever before."

Mr Bleathman said there was still plenty of time for visitors to come and enjoy TMAG's temporary and permanent exhibitions before the closure.

"The National Portrait Gallery's touring exhibition of Colonial portraiture, Elegance in Exile, is here until Sunday 4 November, and contemporary artworks from the 2012 City of Hobart Art Prize will be on show until we close," Mr Bleathman said.

"And with our last day of opening being Rememberance Day, Sunday 11 November, visitors will have a chance to visit our Medals and Money exhibition to reflect on the bravery of our military heroes.

"We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the museum, this time through the historic Watergate on Dunn Place, when we reopen in early 2013."

TMAG is currently open seven days a week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. It will close to the public at 5:00 pm on Sunday 11 November 2012 and reopen again in early 2013.