Preserving our past and expanding into our future.
Arts Centre Melbourne is the very proud custodian of two nationally significant and unique collections: the Australian Performing Arts Collection (APAC), which tells the unique and wonderful story of Australia’s performing arts history and traditions; and the Public Art Collection, which celebrates the performing arts through the works of Australia’s most significant visual artists.
For nearly three decades Arts Centre Melbourne has been charged with the task of both growing and preserving these collections on behalf of the people of Victoria.
With over 780,000 objects, our collections storage has been an ongoing challenge and this has prompted the exploration of new opportunities to expand the existing Hamer Hall storage facility. With thanks to funding from Creative Victoria and generous donors, the Australian Performing Arts Collection project is well underway. You can read more about this project in Revealing Hidden Treasure.
In October 2022, we opened the doors of our space for the very first time for a sneak peek behind the scenes. The purpose-built space, tucked away in Hamer Hall, will serve as a multi-purpose facility - its primary function is a workspace for preserving and documenting the collection. The space will also be opened to the public to get a behind the scenes look at the works, and the artefacts in the collection.
A key part of the design is an internal lane, which allows visitors to view curators, conservators, registrars and research and exhibitions teams working, restoring and cataloguing the collection. In addition to the lane, there display cases to feature objects in the restoration process – items that will be updated as work progresses. The updated space includes an enhanced photographic studio to continue digitising the collection, to build on the development of online exhibitions, and the creation of a behind-the-scenes visitor experience for the public, schools, and broader community.
We’re excited to reveal our workspace that will allow the public a glimpse into the collection, and the highly specialised work that goes into maintaining it. We look forward to officially opening the doors in 2023.
In the lead up to the opening of the specialist space in 2023, we have selected a variety of objects from the Collection to feature online. Enjoy these crafted stories and discover the magic of our performing arts history. Sign up below to receive monthly updates when new stories are released.
Fill out this form to receive updates from Arts Centre Melbourne about the Australian Performing Arts Collection, the Collections Store and other special offers, performances and events.
Donate today and you’ll help preserve, digitise and exhibit the Australian Performing Arts Collection, support future stages of the Collections Store and ensure the Collection can be enjoyed by future generations.
Australian Performing Arts Collection and the Collections Store has been made possible by the generous philanthropic support of Virginia and Harry Boon and funding from Creative Victoria.
