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A person is inside a modern art gallery looking up at a towering sculpture behind them is a large banner saying emergency

Melbourne's must-see exhibitions

From interactive installations to pop-up art galleries, these exhibitions can't be missed.

Two people seated below a neon sign.
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The Story of the Moving Image

A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

Animator and filmmaker Adam Elliot working on a claymation set, adjusting characters.
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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.

A dimly lit exhibition space with a large, brightly illuminated dinosaur skeleton in the centre, with several people in silhouette sitting or standing around the exhibit on a reflective floor.

Nocturnal: Museum After Dark

Experience Melbourne Museum after hours, when the doors stay open and the night belongs to adults.

A person's hands holding up a timber-framed oil painting of a farmland landscape with blue skies.
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Maria Radun: In the Moment

Oil paintings inspired by the diverse landscapes of Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

Installation view of the Spartans & Anzacs exhibition at the Shrine of Remembrance, with people walking around the space, reading panels and looking at displays.
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Spartans & Anzacs

This exhibition invites reflection on the enduring values forged in conflict.

Black and white photograph of a busy Melbourne city intersection with trams, cars, people crossing the road, and buildings, dating from around the 1950s or 1960s.
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Making Modern Melbourne

This free exhibition examines the tumultuous twentieth century in Melbourne.

Abstract acrylic painting with a blending texture of deep purples, blues, dark browns, and vibrant splashes of fiery red across the canvas.
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Yolanda Scholz Vinall: Echoing Paths (revised)

Echoing Paths explores the evolution of artistic practice through changing ideas and methods.

Close-up view of a hand-woven wall covering featuring a textured beige background with minimalist geometric designs.
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Camille Laddawan & Kokoro Kimura (JP): Aura

An exhibition of new works by Camille Laddawan and Kokoro Kimura (JP).

A realist artwork of mandarins nestled in white fabric.
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Genevieve Gadd-Carolan: Always A Student

A reflection of the commitment to the lifelong pursuit of learning and artistic discovery.

A gold-coloured metal pendant with a circular top section and a rectangular bottom section, featuring embossed abstract patterns, with blurred people working at a craft table in the background.

Tokens, Talismans and Tamata

Create your own ornaments inspired by historic offerings and imagery in this festive workshop.

A black and white photograph of a family eating a meal at the family dining table circa 1950.
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You Have a New Memory

An exhibition that explores how and why we remember, through the lens of the Library's collections.

Detail from a bronze low relief frieze on display at the Hellenic Museum.

Greek Love: Written in the Stars

Enjoy history talks, creativity and connection at this one-night-only event at the Hellenic Museum.

Light grey textured bark fragments placed on a warm, golden-brown metallic or painted surface.
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Jessica Row: If a tree falls in the urban forest

An exhibition by Jessica Row inspired by the trees in naarm/Melbourne.

Oil painting of a still life featuring red flowers in a dark vase, paired with ceramic jars, a red book, and scattered red apples on a red tabletop.
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The Victorian Artists Society Studio

Showcase of the range of artistic practices that continue to be taught in the historic VAS Studio.

Art photograph of a female floating on water viewed from above.
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Physis: Elemental Bodies

An exhibition of works by photographic artist Lilli Waters.

People on the back of a flatbed truck in a tree and fern setting.
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Mimpi

Exploring the intersection of experimental music, Javanese song and ritualistic dance.

Painting of a large brick building on a corner with a tree in the foreground and some parked cars.
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Victorian Artists Society Christmas Salon

This showcase celebrates small and affordable artworks perfect for holiday gifting.

An oil painting of a woman with a kimono draped around her shoulders.
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Send Nudes

A knowing wink at a modern cliché, and a celebration of the oldest subject in the history of art.

Artwork showing a composite of illustrations of heads and portraits with wooden planks.
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5/6: A Celebration of Friendship Through Art

Five individuals working in different ways, showing their distinct views of the world through art.

Byzantine icons of Jesus, Mary and John the Baptist, their heads haloed in gold.
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Divine Thresholds: Icons and the Orthodox Christian World

Discover centuries of craftsmanship, devotion and momentous history in this new landmark exhibition.

An oil painting depicting a side-profile view of a woman with short dark hair, rendered in warm, soft lighting, with a classical sculpted bust in the background.
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The Figure From Life

An exhibition honouring the enduring discipline of drawing and painting from the living model.

Artwork showing orange and yellow tones of abstract paint with a small white ball lodged into the painting.
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Suzanne .k. Franklin: Slivers of Time

Suzanne .k. Franklin pushes the boundaries between drawing and painting in Slivers of Time.

Girl looking out at mini village display in the garden.

The best free and cheap family activities

Find family-friendly fun and free events in Melbourne.

Two women in a gallery with white walls and highly polished black floors observing two pieces of abstract photographic art hung on the wall.
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Andrew Browne: Lux Sublimata

A new exhibition of photo-based imagery on satin banners by Melbourne artist Andrew Browne.

An early photograph of men in suits and hats on a building site, looking through a fence or gateway.
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History Month

Offering more than 100 history events, there's something for everyone.

Abstract artwork.
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Twenty Melbourne Painters Society 108th Annual Exhibition

The 108th Annual Exhibition showcases current members’ work in the renovated VAS Galleries.

Two young girls dressed in traditional Indian attire and accessories during a cultural or Diwali celebration in an open air space.

Diwali at the Immigration Museum

Celebrate Diwali with a day of free and low-cost activities for all ages at the Immigration Museum.

Portrait of a woman with her face painted blue and embellished with gold stars, wearing a colourful, fan-like headdress.
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Passage: The Art of Atong Atem

NGV presents the first-ever major solo exhibition of contemporary artist Atong Atem.

Discover more

Street art mural featuring women's faces.

Street art

Melbourne laneways are filled with street art, stencils, paste-ups and mixed media.

Night view of the Federation brass bells, perched atop metal upright supports.

Federation Bells

The Federation Bells are a set of 39 brass bells located in Birrarung Marr in central Melbourne.

Small screens with birds, along St Kilda Rd, outside National Gallery of Victoria.

Julian Opie's Australian Birds

See the artist's illuminated birds on St Kilda Road.

Colourful Aboriginal mural paintings on electrical boxes.

Revitalise & Reconnect, Mandi Barton

Artist Mandi Barton has transformed three electrical boxes with her site-responsive artworks.