Coming Soon: The Australian Museum of Performing Arts – A Must-See for Stage Lovers
There’s something magical about live performance – the thrill of opening night, the shimmer of sequins under the lights, the unforgettable lines that stay with us for decades. And now, Melbourne is about to get a brand new home for those memories and more.
A New Home for Australia’s Stage Stories
Opening December 2025, the Australian Museum of Performing Arts (AMPA) promises to be a showstopper in its own right.
Located inside Hamer Hall, right on the banks of the Birrarung (Yarra River), this exciting new venue from Arts Centre Melbourne will showcase Australia’s incredible performance legacy – from grand operas to backyard circuses, and everything in between.
Costumes, Characters and Cultural Icons
AMPA will draw from the Australian Performing Arts Collection – an extraordinary archive of more than 850,000 objects. That includes:
- Iconic costumes from stars like Kylie Minogue, Nick Cave, and Hugh Jackman
- Memorabilia from The Australian Ballet, Circus Oz, Opera Australia, and Melbourne Theatre Company
- Rare artefacts from the worlds of music, dance, theatre, opera, circus, and popular entertainment
Until now, many of these treasures have lived behind the scenes. Soon, they’ll take centre stage.
A Love Letter to the Performing Arts
Every exhibition at AMPA will be carefully curated to celebrate the art of performance. Expect storytelling at its finest – personal, playful, and powerful.
Alongside Australia’s own gems, you’ll also find world-class exhibitions from international museums and galleries, making AMPA a destination for locals and visitors alike.
What’s Next?
The first exhibition will be announced in September 2025, and we’re already counting the days.
In the meantime, pop a reminder in your calendar: AMPA opens December 2025. We’ll be sharing more details as soon as we have them.
Step Into the Story
Whether you’re a theatre tragic, a music lover, or just a curious culture buff, this is one Melbourne experience you won’t want to miss.
The curtain’s about to rise – and we can’t wait to welcome you to AMPA.
In the meantime, mark your diaries for December 2025 and get ready to step into the story. Melbourne’s newest cultural gem is preparing to raise the curtain!
Part of a Bigger Picture: Melbourne’s Arts Precinct Transformation
The opening of AMPA is just one act in a much bigger production.
It’s complemented by the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation – a $1.7 billion city-shaping project set to redefine how we experience arts and culture in Melbourne. Stretching from Federation Square to Southbank, the transformation includes new public gardens, enhanced accessibility, and stunning new venues – all designed to connect and celebrate creativity.
At its heart is The Fox: NGV Contemporary, soon to be the largest contemporary art gallery in Australia. Just next door, AMPA will add the sights, sounds and stories of performance, bringing the city’s artistic history to life in a way that’s never been done before.
Together, these projects will create a vibrant, walkable arts precinct – one that welcomes everyone and puts Melbourne’s cultural spirit on show for the world.
Laak Boorndap: A Garden Trail Connecting Melbourne’s Cultural Icons
Opening in 2028, Laak Boorndap—meaning “Heaven’s Beauty” in the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung language—is set to become the green heart of Melbourne’s Arts Precinct. Spanning 18,000 square metres, this elevated urban garden will create a lush, biodiverse corridor connecting The Fox: NGV Contemporary, NGV International, Arts Centre Melbourne, and the Southbank Theatre .
Designed by international firms Hassell and SO-IL, alongside horticulturalists Nigel Dunnett and James Hitchmough, and plant expert Jac Semmler, Laak Boorndap will feature a dynamic mix of native and international flora, public art installations, and tranquil water features. The garden will also host contemporary artworks, including commissions by First Peoples artists, fostering a space where nature, art, and culture intertwine .
As visitors journey through Laak Boorndap, they’ll experience a seamless blend of Melbourne’s rich cultural institutions and natural beauty, culminating in a vibrant, accessible space that celebrates the city’s artistic spirit.
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