The best free museums and art galleries in Melbourne
Take a cultural tour of Melbourne’s world-class museums, edgy artist-run spaces and blockbuster exhibitions. All without spending a cent!
NGV International
Old and new, beautiful and challenging, NGV International brings a world of art to Melbourne. The city’s premier art gallery has an ever-changing slew of free exhibits to peruse. See powerful, contemporary art, design and architecture at NGV Triennial. Explore homegrown art and exhibitions at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV. Current exhibition, Rekospective features massive neon installations, larger-than-life sculptures, street art-inspired paintings and more by well known Kamilaroi artist, Reko Rennie.
ACMI
From films to video games, ACMI celebrates screen culture past and present. Get behind the camera at ACMI’s free exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image. From the birth of film to today’s digital wonders, there’s more than a century of movie history to explore. And you can get hands-on at this fun cinema showcase, with animation and sound effects to play with.
Tolarno Galleries
For a small gallery, Tolarno sure has hosted some big names in art. Step inside this hidden space to see incredible exhibitions of contemporary art and design. The early days saw the likes of Picasso, Bonnard and Matisse gracing the walls of the gallery. More recently, art lovers admired works by legendary Aussie artist Patricia Piccinini. Whoever is showing, you're bound to see something special.
Art and Heritage Collection Tour
See a Foster's beer tower from the good old days, retro Moomba Monarch crowns and a bottle of spumante dating back to who knows when. For the first time ever, City of Melbourne's Art and Heritage Collection is opening its doors to the public for free guided tours. This is your chance to access to some of Melbourne’s most weird and wonderful treasures and historical archives.
Australian Music Vault
If you’re musically inclined, the Australian Music Vault is a must. It’s a great overview of Melbourne’s backstage sounds and stories. Watch rare footage and see iconic objects like Kylie Minogue’s stage outfits and notebooks belonging to Nick Cave. The free exhibition is permanently on show at Arts Centre Melbourne.
City Gallery
The City Gallery presents free, quarterly exhibitions on city life; past and present. Pop in to the gallery at Melbourne Town Hall to see Elements of the city's collection, an eclectic range of 8000 artworks and artefacts.
Science Gallery Melbourne
Melbourne's one and only Science Gallery is home to some of the most unusual art installations in town. Think live jellyfish and a machete-wielding houseplant. Discover fresh insights on science fiction with Mythologies Transformed. The exhibition weaves together science fiction with ancient philosophy and mythologies are brought to light through the work of Asian and First Nations women artists and collectives.
Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA)
From music to educational talks, screenings and more the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) will have you coming back again and again. Spot the iconic rust-red building along Southbank and head in to explore local and international art. Keep an eye out for pop-up events and teachings.
Victoria Police Museum
Explore the state's crime history at this free museum in Docklands. History buffs will be amazed by Australia's largest collection of Kelly Gang armour. Dig through major investigations and learn how animals have served in the police force all the way back to the 1960s.
Melbourne's best small, independent and artist-run galleries
Flinders Lane Gallery
Exhibiting collectable artworks and featuring solo exhibitions every three weeks.
West End Art Space
A contemporary art gallery with a focus on living artists that strive for excellence.
Kings Artist-Run Initiative
Space for contemporary art practice and gallery showcasing experimental projects.
Neon Parc
Commercial art gallery exhibiting a diverse range of contemporary art throughout the year.
Anna Schwartz Gallery
The gallery represents over 30 established and emerging artists on individual projects.
More free museums
Victoria Police Museum
Explore the social history of policing through interactive displays and over 300 collection items.
Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre
A place of inspiration and vitality, that promotes the spirit and charism of Saint Mary MacKillop.
Medical History Museum
A free museum focusing on medicine's contribution to scientific discovery and community wellbeing.
The best free exhibitions
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Hans Schiebold: Oceans and Urban Landscapes
An retrospective exhibition of paintings featuring ocean landscapes and well-known urban vistas
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Rekospective: The Art of Reko Rennie
Reko Rennie's largest presentation of work to date and his first-ever retrospective exhibition.
The Pacific Sisters
Zoot suits and ActiVAtions take over Smorgon Family Plaza with the Pacific Sisters.
East @ West: Cutting Through Time with Love and Blessing
Delve into the fusion of ancient traditions and modern expression.
Amber-rose Hulme: Edited Reality
An exhibition that explores the notion that an objective sense of reality is inherently flawed.
Honk: Untitled Goose Exhibition
Explore the cheeky world of the iconic game with playable displays and behind-the-scenes insights.
Craig and Karl Cosmos
Celebrate Summer in the City with Melbourne Central and international artists Craig and Karl.
Horizons
Horizons invites audiences to explore the horizon line as both a literal and metaphorical construct.
Bark Salon
Bark Salon is a large-scale display of First Nations bark painting, with more than 160 works.
Art Studio Exhibition
This exhibition showcases the range of artistic practices and mediums taught at the VAS Art School.
Asia TOPA: Bread, Circuses and Home
An installation and performance series about migration by Delhi-based artist duo Thukral and Tagra.
Festival of the Photocopier Zine Fair
The Festival of the Photocopier is a two-day zine fair with over 100 stalls celebrating zines.
Sci-Fi: Mythologies Transformed
This exhibition highlights science fiction’s connection to ancient philosophy and mythologies.
MoCo: Crepuscular Creature
An exhibition using fairies as an analogy to explore experiences of First Nations peoples.
Immortals
Uncover the many faces of Victorian Digger memorials in this captivating photography exhibition.
Adam Sime: Why Do Birds Suddenly Appear
A collection of paintings that look for tension and are loaded with memory.
Chris Pelchen: Seven X Five
This unique exhibition features small paintings capturing iconic views of Melbourne.
Ned Brook: What Lies in the Underneath
Ned Brook’s first solo exhibition showcases drawings, paintings, and sculptures.
Linda Studena: Head of State
Head of State is an assembly of custom flags, each presented with cabbage and gardening motifs.
The Story of the Moving Image
An ongoing exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.
Ribbon of Reflection
A garden installation inspired by the vibrant colours of Australian military medal ribbons.
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Making Memoir of a Snail
Explore handmade sets, props and characters from Adam Elliot's claymation film Memoir of a Snail.
Yarra: Stories of Melbourne's River
Explores the chequered history of the stream we call the ‘city’s river’.
Melbourne's Annual Wedding Expo
With over 120 of Melbourne’s most creative and popular wedding suppliers and vendors.
Memento Mori
A trio of public murals inspired by the Fates of Greek mythology, inspire passersby to embrace life.
Women Work for Victory in WWII
Explore the story of women on the home front during the Second World War.
Melbourne Out Loud: Life through the lens of Rennie Ellis
Relive Melbourne's culture and fashion through the lens of iconic photographer Rennie Ellis.
Flux and Restless Pegasus
Photographers Francis Cai and Zinnia Lo's present distinct narratives in the urban landscape.
Last updated on Mon 28 Oct 2024
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Buxton Contemporary
A hub for creative engagement showcasing the best of contemporary Australian and international art.
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