Melbourne Art Scene
Description:
From the kids that run the innovative Artist Run Spaces dotted all over the CBD to the suits over at the NVG, Melbourne has a bustling art scene. Melbournians have thick framed glasses down to a tee (though they’d definitely prefer coffee) and when it comes to visual art they mean business. So dress dark and get ready to grab a free chardonnay at the next exhibition opening at Blindside – Melbourne will not disappoint. But try not to smile…
Author: Nicole Muir
Day 1 - Melbourne
There’s no better place than ACCA to paint a picture of Melbourne’s contemporary art scene. The building itself is a work of art and the gift shop is definitely worth a look-see. Take the tram or an easy walk to Anna Schwartz Gallery on Flinders Lane. You will pass the Victorian Arts Centre, National Gallery of Victoria and ACMI where Melbourne’s high art struts it’s stuff. Keeping on the contemporary theme, Anna Schwartz allows for a more intimate experience of the exhibitions. Stop of at Hairy Canary as you make your way to Blindside Gallery for a sneak peak into Melbourne’s independent Artist Run Spaces. Finally, make a stop at Gallery Funaki to check out some finely crafted bling from all around the world.
1
Australian Centre for Contemporary Art
Location:
view in google maps111 Sturt Street Southbank
Southbank
3006 Melbourne, Australia
Phone:
+61 3 9697 99992
Anna Schwartz Gallery
Location:
view in google maps185 Flinders Lane
3000 Melbourne, Australia
Phone:
+61 3 9654 61313
Hairy Canary
Location:
view in google maps212 Little Collins Street
3000 Melbourne, Australia
Phone:
61 03 9654 24714
Blindside
Location:
view in google maps37 Swanston Street
Room 14, Level 7, Nicholas Building
3000 Melbourne, Australia
Phone:
+61 3 9650 0093 / +61 4326921845
Gallery Funaki
Location:
view in google maps4 Crossley Street
3000 Melbourne, Australia
Phone:
+61 3 9662 9446Day 2 - Melbourne
Staying city side, make for ACMI and explore the art of cinema. The screen galleries and interactive game rooms are enough to keep you entertained for hours, or you could simply lay low and catch a flick upstairs. RMIT Gallery and West Space make for a cheap and easy afternoon culture injection, giving you more cash to spend at one of the many bars and restaurants in between. Order a cheese platter and sherry at the Order of Melbourne – it’s right across the road from RMIT Gallery and also boasts a rooftop garden.
1
Australian Centre For The Moving Image (ACMI)
Location:
view in google mapsFlinders Street
Federation Square
3000 Melbourne, Australia
Phone:
+61 3 8663 22002
RMIT Gallery
Location:
view in google maps344 Swanston Street
RMIT Storey Hall
3000 Melbourne, Australia
Phone:
+61 3 9925 17173
West Space
Location:
view in google mapsLevel 1
15 - 19 Anthony Street
3000 Melbourne, Australia
Phone:
+61 3 9328 8712Day 3 - Melbourne
Ditch the pavement for paddocks and head bush. Heide Museum of Modern Art is a piece of history; step back in time and enjoy the beautiful gardens and cottages once inhabited by the big guns of Australian art, Joy Hester and Albert Tucker. The café is more than just a kiosk and definitely warrants a relaxed glass of wine with your meal. With the big smoke further behind you, keep going till you hit the Yarra Valley. TarraWarra is easily one of the finest vineyards in the wine rich area, the Modern Art Museum and exquisite fine dining room raising the bar.
1
Heide Museum of Modern Art
Location:
view in google maps7 Templestowe Road
Bulleen
3105 Melbourne, Australia
Phone:
+61 3 9850 15002
TarraWarra Estate (Yarra Valley)
Location:
view in google maps311 Healsesville-Yarra Glen Road
Lilydale
3775 Melbourne, Australia
Phone:
+61 3 5962 2600Day 4 - Melbourne
Final day so let’s go out with a bang. The National Gallery of Victoria is Melbourne’s most prestigious art gallery. Give yourself a couple of hours to explore all the exhibitions and browse the gift shop. Grab a take away snack from the Southgate complex on the Yarra and hot tail it over to the Royal Botanic Gardens for an impromptu picnic.
1
National Gallery of Victoria
Location:
view in google maps180 St Kilda Rd
3000 Melbourne, Australia
Phone:
+61 3 9208 02032
Yarra River
Location:
view in google mapsSouthbank Promenade
3000 Melbourne, Australia
Phone:
+61 3 9658 9658 (Tourist Information)3
Royal Botanic Gardens (Melbourne)
Location:
view in google mapsBirdwood Avenue
South Yarra
3141 Melbourne, Australia
Phone:
+61 3 9252 2300