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
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.
RMIT Fine Arts Graduate Exhibition
Each year RMIT’s city campus comes alive as art students exhibit and celebrate their work.
The Pacific Sisters
Zoot suits and ActiVAtions take over Smorgon Family Plaza with the Pacific Sisters.
Beyond the View: Karen Prakhoff Rickman
Perth Printmaker Prakhoff Rickman has traveled her artworks to Melbourne gallery West End Art Space.
The Sky and Beyond
Jessi Wong explores sky, light, and celestial phenomena in woodblock prints on Hosho paper.
RMIT Landscape Architecture Exhibition
Visit a showcase of student work from across RMIT's programs in Landscape Architecture.
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.
Tais, Culture & Resilience: Woven Stories from Timor-Leste
A textile and photographic exhibition celebrating 25 years of independence of Timor-Leste.
Artist of the Year Award Exhibition
Showcasing artworks by select VAS artists for the prestigious VAS Artist of the Year award.
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.
Fanged, Skinned and Shrieking
An exhibition exploring the dark, animalistic underbelly of human nature and desire.
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.
RMIT Art Photography Graduate Exhibition
An exhibition celebrating the graduate projects of RMIT's photography students.
Immortals
Uncover the many faces of Victorian Digger memorials in this captivating photography exhibition.
Diploma of Photography and Digital Imaging Exhibition
Connect with the students and experience great insights in their diverse photographic practices.
Linda Studena: Head of State
Head of State is an assembly of custom flags, each presented with cabbage and gardening motifs.
Melbourne's Storied Laneways
Royal Historical Society of Victoria's exhibition provides insights into Melbourne's iconic lanes.
Trenches to Runway: Military Influences on Popular Fashion
Explore the enduring influence of military design on popular fashion.
RMIT Visual Arts Graduate Exhibition
A survey of artwork from the graduating class on RMIT's Advanced Diploma Visual Arts.
Future Dreaming Family Day
Come along to the Torch's Family Day celebration for the last chance to view Future Dreaming 2024.
The Story of the Moving Image
An ongoing exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.
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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.
Melbourne's Annual Wedding Expo
With over 120 of Melbourne’s most creative and popular wedding suppliers and vendors.
Mita Chowdhury: My (M)otherland
Experience paintings that reflect the artist's personal experience of uprootedness and displacement.
Last updated on Mon 28 Oct 2024
Christmas
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Explore a wonderland of events and dazzling decorations as the city comes to life this Christmas.
Christmas eat and drink
Feeling festive? Sip mistletoe martinis at a rooftop bar or dine under the lights in a laneway.
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Have a grand day out on a budget at Melbourne's best free experiences, attractions and exhibits.
Buxton Contemporary
A hub for creative engagement showcasing the best of contemporary Australian and international art.
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