For thousands of years, the land around Birrarung (the Yarra River) has been Melbourne’s meeting place – an area of cultural significance for our First Nations and a place of creative expression. Today the site is home to the Melbourne Arts Precinct; a vibrant creative community and the artistic heart of our city.

 

Extending from Fed Square through to Southbank and beyond, the Melbourne Arts Precinct has one of the highest concentrations of arts, cultural and creative organisations in the world, hosting around 3000 performances and exhibitions each year.

 

The Victorian Government is investing $1.7 billion to transform the Melbourne Arts Precinct into one of the great creative and cultural destinations in the world.

The Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation is the largest cultural infrastructure project in Australia’s history and a new entity, MAP Co, has been established to spearhead this multidimensional project and connect the precinct in a seamless, immersive, cultural experience.

 

Early works on upgrades to Arts Centre Melbourne are underway with major construction beginning in early 2023.

The Melbourne Arts
Precinct Transformation
will deliver:

The Fox: NGV Contemporary

The Fox: NGV Contemporary, a new gallery dedicated to contemporary art and design, is set to be the largest of its kind in Australia.

Arts Centre Melbourne Upgrades

Upgrades to Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building, home to the Australian Ballet, Opera Australia, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and shows that will shine brighter and sound better than ever before.

New Green Spaces

18,000sqm of expansive urban garden, restaurants and bars, creative spaces, and public art.

News & Updates

Two ballerinas are posing with a smiling tradie in between them wearing high vis and a hard hat

16 May 2023

In this newsletter you can read about: works and design updates; planning your visit to the Arts Precinct; and recent community consultation.

An image of construction vehicles and workers in high-vis uniforms on site at Arts Centre Melbourne

08 May 2023

Lendlease has been appointed to deliver the Major Works Northern Package of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation.

Minister Steve Dimopoulos is wearing high vis and a hard hat standing at a lectern speaking to media

28 April 2023

A significant milestone has been reached in the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation, with the appointment of Lendlease as the head contractor of the Main Works package that will breathe new life into Arts Centre Melbourne’s State Theatre