May 12, 2025

 

A treasure trove of priceless items tracing Australia’s performing arts history is set to go on show, as work gets underway on the new Australian Museum of Performing Arts (AMPA) at Arts Centre Melbourne, backed by the Allan Labor Government.

Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks today visited the iconic Hamer Hall to announce the establishment of AMPA, a new drawcard exhibition space for the Melbourne Arts Precinct which will enable Victorians and visitors to explore Australia’s history in music, dance, theatre, circus and opera like never before.

An Australian-first, AMPA will be the public face of the Australian Performing Arts Collection – more than 850,000 costumes, props, programs, posters and other artefacts valued at close to $80 million, cared for by Arts Centre Melbourne on behalf of the people of Victoria. 

The Australian Performing Arts Collection has largely been kept in storage since it was established in 1975.

At AMPA, Victorians and visitors will be able view such iconic pieces as Peter Allen’s maracas, Nick Cave’s visual journal, Kylie Minogue’s iconic gold hot pants and items from luminaries like Joan Sutherland, Chrissy Amphlett, AC/DC and the Australian Ballet.

AMPA, which will take over a riverside space at Hamer Hall’s upper terrace, will showcase a range of exhibitions that will bring our performing arts history to life while also hosting international touring exhibitions.

This exciting addition will bring yet another new cultural offering and experience for Melbourne, activating the northern aspect of the Arts Precinct, opening up Hamer Hall to the public in new ways, and delivering significant value to the visitor economy.

 

Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said this will become an unmissable destination in the heart of the city, and another reason for visitors to flock to Australia's cultural capital. 

“From Peter Allan’s maracas and Nick Cave’s journals to Kylie’s hotpants – this collection tells stories that shape our creative state and passes them on to future generations.”

 

AMPA will open in December 2025, drawing even more visitors to the precinct while construction works are underway on the Labor Government’s $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation.

For more information on AMPA, visit artscentremelbourne.com.au.