FAQs

We have a policy around providing feedback and complaints that we recommend you read if you have some feedback to offer.

Arts Centre Melbourne receives many requests to light our iconic Spire to support countless fantastic causes. While we’d love to be able to honour all of these, we assess all requests against the below criteria to ensure that when we do agree to a request, it aligns with our brand values and our role first and foremost as a champion of the performing arts. In addition, we limit the number of campaigns per month to avoid diluting message impact. This is underpinned by the following:

• Illuminating the Spire is related to a high-awareness or high-profile community message, significant social/community campaign, major cultural event, a response to a national or global event, or significant charitable cause deemed appropriate by Arts Centre Melbourne, or that champions the development and promotion of the performing arts.
• This event, campaign or cause is consistent with Arts Centre Melbourne’s values, brand and brand values, community role and core business in the performing arts.
• As a publicly funded cultural institution, Arts Centre Melbourne is apolitical and can in no way support, or be seen to support, campaigns or causes of a political nature. Campaigns or causes aligned to gambling, tobacco or alcohol or those with commercial outcomes will not be supported.
• There is sufficient profile or awareness of the high-profile community or charitable campaign, cultural event or cause, for the Spire illumination to be connected and understood by the general public. There is appropriate acknowledgement of Arts Centre Melbourne as part of a high-profile community or charitable campaign, cultural event or cause, such as via any media (print, broadcast or social) campaigns or coverage.
• Availability of the Spire depending on other pre-existing campaigns/bookings, and ensuring that there is reasonable time between campaigns to avoid diluting campaign impact.
• Please note: Not all requests are able to be accommodated and all decisions are final.

Arts Centre Melbourne receives many requests to support countless fantastic causes. While we’d love to honour all of these, unfortunately we aren’t able to offer donations; instead, we channel our resources through subsidising access initiatives like our Schools Program and First Call Fund – a subsidy program that ensures all Victorian schools, no matter what barriers they may face, have the opportunity to experience the arts.

The Australian Performing Arts Collection is used in our changing exhibitions and displays, both onsite and touring. Please check our Exhibitions & Displays section.

Our primary exhibition space, Gallery 1, has become a permanent home for a new music-focused exhibition – the Australian Music Vault. We’ll be diving into the wealth of resources contained within the Australian Performing Arts Collection to curate the Australian Music Vault experience. More information about the Australian Music Vault is available here.

Much of Arts Centre Melbourne’s Art Collection is on display within the buildings and onsite in the precinct. A self-guided tour is available through On Cue.

The Collections are also accessible through our Research Centre and our online catalogue.

The Collections are used regularly by curators, historians, performers, writers, publishers, staff and members of the general public. Research outcomes have included family histories, plays, articles, books, films and documentaries, and artworks. Arts Centre Melbourne also runs an active loans program. We lend material to cultural organisations in Australia and overseas.

Visit the Australian Performing Arts Collection online.

Curators are not permitted to provide valuations or appraisals of material for members of the general public. We suggest you seek advice from auction houses or individual professional valuers.

Approved valuers for the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program are listed on the associated website.

The Australian Performing Arts Collection houses approximately 60,000 programs donated by individuals and performing arts companies for over 40 years. We have complete holdings for most major performing arts companies in Melbourne and have ongoing deposit arrangements with many of them. We're currently looking for programs representing less mainstream performers and companies. Please view our Donation Guidelines for further details.

We welcome the support of those interested in Arts Centre Melbourne’s Collections, with financial contributions towards purchases, conservation treatments or our other activities important in continuing to grow our Collections. You can also make a bequest in support of the Collections through Arts Centre Melbourne's Philanthropy team. Please contact privategiving@artscentremelbourne.com.au

If you'd  like to donate culturally significant material to the Collections, please see our Donation Guidelines. Alternatively, if you're interested in volunteering your time, you may like to join our waiting list to participate in the Collection Volunteer Program. Please contact the Research Centre for more information on volunteering with the Collections.

Arts Centre Melbourne's Collections have been largely developed by generous donations of culturally significant material by members of the general public. Material may be gifted through outright donation, bequest or through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program, which provides tax deductions for the donation of highly significant cultural material. Material offered for donation is assessed regularly by the Collection Development Group in line with our Collection Development Policy. Please view our Donation Guidelines for further details.

Arts Centre Melbourne's Australian Performing Arts Collection is Australia's largest and most important collection of performing arts history and traditions across circus, dance, music, opera and theatre. The Collection includes designs, costumes, objects, programs, photographs and so much more.

Head to our Hire our Spaces page to discover all the options available.

Hamer Hall is the only venue available for one-day hire.

Arts Centre Melbourne offers a comprehensive ticketing service online, by phone and in person at our box office*. All tickets Sidney Myer Music Bowl events are available for purchase via our ticketing partner, Ticketmaster.

*Fees Apply

We recommend booking 12 – 18 months in advance to ensure you can lock in the venue and dates that suit your requirements.

Hamer Hall hire fees includes a standard lighting and audio rig. All other venues come with bare walls. Equipment is available but any technical labour incurs an additional cost. All Arts Centre Melbourne venues require a minimum crew to ensure safe operations.

We would love you to share pictures and video of your visit with us on social media networks (don’t forget those ‘@’ or ‘#’ symbols so we know you’re sharing the Arts Centre Melbourne love!) and even on your personal blog, but only if there is no commercial aspect to the publishing of the images or video – it must be for personal use only and not contravene any other of our policies around filming.

Yes! Arts Centre Melbourne is proud to abide by the Victorian Film Friendly Guidelines 2014. Every assistance will be offered, subject to site activity, sponsorship agreements and availability. Terms and conditions apply.

If you are outside the building or in the foyer then 100%, yes! We want you to share your memories of your visit with friends and family, but unless you have sought permission from us, any footage you take must be for personal use only and not contravene any of our policies around filming. Thanks for respecting this, now snap away!

Photography during performances is generally not permitted. Please check with venue staff upon entering to confirm the photography policy for the performance you are attending.

Not without approval from us. Please read the Arts Centre Melbourne Filming Policy then contact us for further information.

Of course we understand you want to record your event, performance or other activity during your time at Arts Centre Melbourne, why wouldn't you?! 

As part of your agreement when hiring our spaces an venues, there is a separate 'Recording Form' that needs to be submitted, so please speak to either your Account Manager, Production Manager or whoever your contact is at Arts Centre Melbourne to ensure this is submitted and approved before doing any recording. Thanks!

Thanks for the invitation to be part of your happy day and congratulations!

A few things you need to know first. Due to the constant level of activity across all our public spaces, we don't permit wedding photography inside our foyers. But if you’re using our venues for a wedding reception or simply want to take some of your professional wedding snaps with us as the background, feel free to wander along the external balconies of either the Theatres Building or Hamer Hall, including grassed areas.

Please remember though, as with any other filming at Arts Centre Melbourne, the photos or video taken can't be for commercial purposes and must be for personal use only, and not contravene any other policy around filming.

As a not-for-profit arts organisation that receives 25% of its operational funding from the Victorian Government, we also rely on the generous support of the public via a number of different programs. You can read about how you can help through our Join & Support page or by calling (03) 9281 8711.

We're lucky to receive financial support in numerous shapes and forms, so if you'd like to join the generous group of individuals, families, companies and organisations who dig deep to assist Arts Centre Melbourne deliver its events and programs, head to our Join & Support page for more information.

We welcome volunteers, and would love to hear from you if you're a lover of the arts with a passion to help us do our thing.

Any jobs vacancies are posted on our Employment page, so keep your eyes peeled for new opportunities and come join our team.

Arts Centre Melbourne has a great membership program, with members receiving 25% off Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park rates, a personalised booking line, discounts at many of our food and beverage outlets, and a range of discounts, special offers and invitations to a calendar of events and functions. Members also have access to their own Members Lounge and Dining Room for pre-theatre dining or light refreshments. More information is available on our Membership page.

Children aged under 2 years are admitted free of charge to some performances seated on their carer’s lap without a pram. Please contact us on 1300 182 183 if you're unsure whether this applies to the specific performance you wish to attend.

We welcome people of all ages to experience Arts Centre Melbourne’s offerings. Our ‘Babes in Arms’ policy for the majority of events means children under two years of age may be admitted without a ticket if they remain seated on the lap of a parent or guardian.

For performances aimed specifically at children two and under, a ticket may be required – check the event information for more details, or if in doubt, please call our team on 1300 182 183.

Arts Centre Melbourne is a place for everyone in the community, so when bringing children please consider the interests and enjoyment of everyone attending. Any person (regardless of age) interrupting the enjoyment of others may be asked to leave an event and/or venue.

As per our conditions of entry, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Not being able to see something that everyone else can isn’t much fun, so we have booster seats available for children in the Playhouse, Fairfax Studio, State Theatre and Hamer Hall. So, just ask our friendly staff and they’ll be able to provide you with one, so long as this doesn’t obstruct the view of the person sitting behind.

Families attending ticketed daytime shows will receive an early bird offer when entering our Car Park before their performances, Monday to Friday, saving approximately 50% off the normal rate.

For all other rates, phone (03) 9281 8012 or visit our Parking page.

Arts Centre Melbourne provides age recommendations for all family performances to help you and your children get the most out of your visit. While we work closely with the creators of the performances to determine a suitable age recommendation, it's still ultimately up to you as the parent to make the final decision around suitability.

Please ask our friendly staff to direct you to our full changing facilities.

To keep you safe while you’re here, prams are not permitted inside our theatres. Speak to our staff for directions to where you can park your pram in the building while you’re inside enjoying the show.

Any jobs vacancies are posted on our website, so keep your eyes peeled for new opportunities and come join our team.

• Get involved. See a performance, go on a tour of our venues, visit one of our free exhibitions or be a part of our participation events. Embrace YOUR state arts centre.
• Keep in touch. Let us know how your group’s visit went and we can work together to further benefit your community.

For schools

Before the event, email firstcallfund@artscentremelbourne.com.au a quote from your bus company. The amount the First Call Fund can contribute to your costs will then be clarified in writing.

After the event, email a copy of your receipt of payment to the bus company and invoice Arts Centre Melbourne for the determined amount.

Note: The level of contribution is determined on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.

For community groups

Calculated at $7 per person, up to $350 (50 people).

Pricing based on the cost of an adult Myki ticket.

Organisations are to invoice Arts Centre Melbourne directly

Transport subsidy is at the complete discretion of the First Call Fund assessment committee and on a performance by performance basis, and cannot be guaranteed.

For schools: Your assessed application is valid for the activities you apply for. There may be some limits and all shows are subject to availability, so get in touch to discuss how to make the most of the First Call Fund throughout the year.

For community groups: Your assessed application is valid for 12 months and you are welcome to make multiple bookings in this time. There may be some limits and all shows are subject to availability, so get in touch to discuss how to make the most of the First Call Fund throughout the year.

For schools: There is no limit to how many tickets you can book (subject to availability).

For community groups: Considering the breadth of shows available, limits may apply.

• Subsidised tickets for your community members to attend world-class performances, or participate in related programs, presented by Arts Centre Melbourne.
• A contribution towards the cost of travel to and from Arts Centre Melbourne.
• If there are further barriers that make access difficult, please discuss them with us.

The First Call Fund was established in 2008 thanks to the incredible generosity of Arts Centre Melbourne’s philanthropic supporters. Since then, the fund has continued to grow through the generosity of many different Victorians who share our belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to engage with the arts in a meaningful way.

Read more about contributing to the Fund

You can take your headphones and your tablet into the theatre to assist with communication. We just ask that you please inform the ushers beforehand. We also recommend that you just be mindful of the people around you whilst using a tablet, and limit its use throughout the performance so that it is not too distracting to others.

A relaxed performance is the same show but there are some small changes. These changes are made in order to eliminate surprise and reduce anxiety levels. Specifically for Curious, house lights will be up, sound and lighting cues will be modified, strobe lighting has been removed and doors will be open for people to come and go as they wish.

There is a lot of music and different sound effects used throughout the performance, which will be made quieter however it can still be quite noisy for some people. Included here are links to some of the music tracks so you can hear what the soundtrack is like.

Yes. There will be a designated quiet area for you to go to in the foyer of the Playhouse Theatre. The quiet area will be somewhere you can relax before the show, and where you can come and go to whenever you want during the performance, should you need to take a break. There will be comfy seating including bean bags, sensory items, and the Visual Story will be available. There will also be TV monitors in this area so that you can still see the live action as it happens on stage, but from the vantage point of this outside space. There is also a viewing room that can be used. You can return to the theatre when you are ready – staff are available to assist as required.

A Relaxed Performance is one of the ways Arts Centre Melbourne presents theatre that is welcoming for everyone. It is a way audiences and families can enjoy theatre together, in an environment that has been carefully adapted and embraces all reactions.

Relaxed shows include the following:

• Noise and movement during the performance is expected from the audience
• Leaving the auditorium to take a break is fine
• There is a designated quiet area for people to relax in, before or during the show
• Trained ushers are available to offer assistance
• The theatre doors remain open and lights are dimmed, staying on throughout the show.

We focus on modifying the sensory environment and provide a range of pre-show resources to help you prepare for your visit (a Visual Story, examples of the music performed, a video clip to watch before the show, and Frequently Asked Questions).

Yes, we will have a number of highly trained Front of House staff available both in the foyer and in the theatre who will be able to assist you at any time.  

If your organisation is facing barriers that make it difficult for you to attend then you may apply for funding through the First Call Fund. Please see here for application information. 

The Channel is fully accessible, and includes a wheel chair accessible toilet.

Sessions are held at The Channel, located riverside of Hamer Hall, please see the map.

Community disability organisations who work with children with disabilities are all welcome to make a booking for this program.

If your school is facing barriers that make it difficult for you to attend then you may apply for funding through the First Call Fund. Please see here for application information.

Small groups of up to 6 students can participate in these sessions.

The Channel is fully accessible, and includes a wheel chair accessible toilet.

Sessions are held at The Channel, located riverside of Hamer Hall, please see the map.  Please note these sessions are not held in computer labs, if you are looking for computer based workshops please see other options in The Channel.

Special Developmental Schools or Special Schools with small groups of students. The program is specifically designed for students with disability who limited opportunities to access mainstream programs.

Families with siblings around the ages of 5 to 10.  Please note that you are welcome to speak with staff about making a booking for children outside of this age range, but you need to be aware that the sessions are planned for children aged 5 – 10.

This program runs in small groups, with a maximum of 4 families in each session. Parents are required to attend and up to 2 adults can participate free of charge per family booking.

Siblings in Sync is held at The Channel, riverside of Hamer Hall, please see the map.

The Channel is fully accessible, and includes a wheel chair accessible toilet.

This program is for children aged 3 to 5 years (preschool age) who have delayed development or a diagnosed disability. At least one parent or caregiver is required to stay for the duration of the session.  Occasionally it's appropriate for children younger than 3 attend; please get in touch if you'd like to discuss the program further.

This program runs in small groups, with a maximum of 5 families in each session.

No – unfortunately we cannot take bookings for less than 6 sessions. This program is especially designed as a therapeutic ‘block’ where children are supported to become familiar with the program, others in the group and to develop skills over time.

It is fine to bring your child’s sibling, however we recommend bringing an additional adult to help where possible. Please inform staff if you would like to bring a sibling.

Many families who attend Sound Beginnings do not have access to funding options, which is why we have kept costs as low as possible ($180 for a block of 6 sessions). Please note that our costs are low due to generous support of donors.

Please take note if the following funding options apply to your child:

• a. HCWA funding: Can be used, however please be aware this does incur additional administration fees.
• b. NDIS : Can only be used by families who have a self-managed plan.
• c. Baptcare Flexible Support Package: Consult your early intervention provider for more information & eligibility; this can be used with our program.

Organisations and community groups who work with those who rarely, if ever, get the opportunity to visit Arts Centre Melbourne.

Our community partners include organisations of all sizes, from local government through to small volunteer-run community groups, and offer support and services to people from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances.

The Community Partner Program is not available to individuals.

Fully funded visits to Arts Centre Melbourne including ticket costs and some assistance with travel as required.

The Community Partner Program also offers inclusive participatory initiatives and events; opportunities for your community to get involved in the arts.

All Community Partner Program experiences are paid for through generous donations provided to the First Call Fund.

The First Call Fund was established in 2008 thanks to the incredible generosity of Arts Centre Melbourne’s philanthropic supporters. Since then, the fund has continued to grow through the generosity of many different Victorians who share our belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to engage with the arts in a meaningful way.

Simply fill in the online application form.

We will be in touch within three weeks to discuss the outcome of your application and next steps.

In 2018, applications will open in June and close August 10.

Click here to download the Community Partner Program FAQs.

Community Partners are encouraged to make the most of the partnership. We recommend that you experience a breadth of performances, workshops and experiences at Arts Centre Melbourne across the year.

Keep in mind, all shows and workshops are subject to availability.

Get in touch with the Community Engagement Coordinator on 03 9281 8784 or email community@artscentremelbourne.com.au to discuss your options.

Subsidised tickets are available for all Arts Centre Melbourne Presents performances and workshops (subject to availability). Other performances may be available from time to time, so contact the Community Engagement Coordinator (03 9281 8784 or community@artscentremelbourne.com.au) if there is a particular show that is of interest to your community members.

When coming on board as a Community Partner, you will be asked to agree to the Terms and Conditions.

We require one person from your Organisation to be our key contact. This person will be our first point of call for any opportunities at Arts Centre Melbourne, as well as bookings.

We want the partnership to be beneficial and have an impact on your community. We encourage Community Partners to book for a variety of experiences. We appreciate bookings made in advance and ask to be notified of any changes to numbers at least 10-days before the scheduled performance.

We ask all our Community Partners to complete a post-visit evaluation. Your feedback is invaluable.

Arts Centre Melbourne takes credit card and personal information storage seriously and is committed to keeping customer information safe. We have dedicated mechanisms and infrastructure in place to protect your privacy and security, and work closely with credit card, security and banking authorities to ensure practices, policies and procedures meet the latest security standards. View Arts Centre Melbourne's privacy policy.

All bookings made online and over the phone require you to register contact details (name, address, phone number, email) during your purchase. This is so we can let you know of any important information about the performance you're attending and also quickly and easily assist you with any enquiries you may have about your purchase. If you're booking tickets at the Box Office and would prefer not to provide your contact details, we will not be able to provide these services to you.

Refunds are not available unless the performance is cancelled or if permitted in accordance with the LPA Code of Practice for the Ticketing of Live Entertainment Events in Australia. Exchanges are only permitted under specific circumstances. For more information on refunds and exchanges, please see our Ticketing Terms and Conditions or call our Box Office on 1300 182 183.

At present, we don’t offer print-at-home ticketing but there are several options for receiving your tickets: Regular post (up until one week prior to your performance); Express or Registered Post (extra fees apply); and Venue Collection (from our Box Office right up until show time). Please note: Tickets booked less than one week prior to your performance are only available as "Venue Collection".

Arts Centre Melbourne is committed to displaying fees and charges up front so consumers are aware of these prior to booking. A service charge of $8.50 per transaction applies to all bookings made online, by phone or by mail. This fee goes towards providing, maintaining and updating the website, and to supplement the ticketing facilities and services we provide. You may also choose to have tickets sent to you by Registered or Express Post (extra fees apply).

When collecting tickets, you need your Order Number and the credit card used for the booking. You may also be asked for photo ID and must always bring a valid concession card for tickets purchased at concession rates. Someone else can collect your tickets (except for performances at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl) provided we have received prior authorisation from you (call 1300 182 183 to organise this) and whoever collects the tickets has order details and photo ID with them when collecting.

A concession card (or valid photo ID with date of birth clearly visible if booking "Youth" tickets) is required at the time of purchase. Photocopies of concession cards can be used provided the expiry date is visible. Please note: Concession numbers are not sufficient proof of concession status.

If your booking was made directly through Arts Centre Melbourne you can collect tickets from our main Box Office in the Theatres Building (under the Spire) Monday - Saturday, 9:00am to 8:30pm and Sunday, 10:00am to 5:00pm from the far right priority queue or from the Hamer Hall Box Office Monday - Sunday, 10:00am to 5:45pm. If you’re collecting in the hour-and-a-half before the show for the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, please proceed to Gate 1, unless signalled onsite to an alternative area. Please note: Any bookings not made through Arts Centre Melbourne direct (for example, through our Resident Companies or authorised ticketing agencies) can only be collected one hour prior from the venue you are attending.

1. The best way to ensure you’re getting what you paid for is to purchase tickets through an authorised Ticketing Service Provider. Please refer to the event page to check the authorised Ticketing Service Providers for a particular event or contact us on 1300 182 183 for more information.
2. Avoid buying tickets through unauthorised third party websites that sell secondary (or second-hand) tickets, as there’s no guarantee the tickets will be valid for entry at the venue. Tickets purchased from unauthorised third party websites may be cancelled without notice.

For more information click here.

Gift Vouchers can be redeemed in person at Arts Centre Melbourne Box Office, Online or via the Contact Centre on 1300 182 183.

Gift Vouchers are non-refundable and cannot be redeemed for cash.

Gift Vouchers should be used within 12 months from the date of purchase, which is the “expiry” date displayed on the Gift Voucher. Gift Vouchers may not be used if expired.

Any unused balance must be used by the expiry date. Any unused balance will not be refunded or credited on expiry.

If your order exceeds the amount of your Gift Voucher, you must pay for the balance with cash, cheque, debit or credit card.

Gift Vouchers should be treated as cash, and you are responsible for keeping your Gift Voucher safe. Replacements will not be issued for lost or stolen Gift Vouchers.

Yes, you can use more than one voucher for a purchase or you can use any combination of vouchers, cash, cheque or card accepted by Arts Centre Melbourne.

No, but you can purchase an additional Gift Voucher.

You can use your Gift Voucher to book tickets for shows at any Arts Centre Melbourne venue or to purchase items such as pre-booked valet parking, memberships, drink vouchers or season subscriptions.

The standard fees and charges must be applied to all Gift Voucher transactions.

If you book tickets online, you can use the “Select your own Seat” option to choose seats straight from the map – and if you click the little camera up in the top left hand corner, we will even give you a cheeky peek at what it looks like to sit from different parts of our theatres. There are also static maps available on the pages of each of our main venues.

There is no official dress code for Arts Centre Melbourne (with the exception of Back-stage Tours where closed-toed shoes must be worn) but we do have some standard conditions for anyone visiting our buildings. You can view our 'Conditions of Entry' for more information. By entering any of the Arts Centre Melbourne buildings, you are agreeing to these conditions.

Arts Centre Melbourne is made up of two primary buildings, as well as the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. The 'Theatres' building of Arts Centre Melbourne (the ‘building with the spire’!), contains the State Theatre, the Playhouse and the Fairfax Studio, as well as Gallery 1, Café Vic, the Barre and the Pavilion. Hamer Hall (formally known as the Melbourne Concert Hall) sits just across the lawn beside the Yarra River. Both buildings, as well as the lawn in between, the forecourt in front of the Theatres Building and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl are part of Arts Centre Melbourne. The National Gallery of Victoria NGV) is not part of Arts Centre Melbourne, although it is our nearest Arts neighbour! The NGV has the State's largest collection of classic national and international art. Arts Centre Melbourne also boasts an impressive art collection, with most works having been commissioned for the spaces in which they hang. The majority of these works are on public display in our foyers and exhibition spaces. Take the time to either explore the works for yourself, or to take one of our guided tours. Arts Centre Melbourne also has in its Performing Arts Collection Australia's largest and most important collection of performing arts history and traditions.

We are located at 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, just across the Yarra River from Flinders St Station. We have our own car park and there are multiple public transport options to get you to our theatres!

Many shows at Arts Centre Melbourne sell out, with potentially over 5000 people in our theatres when we are at capacity, so be sure to allow enough time to find parking, collect your tickets, drop your larger items at our free cloakroom, make your way to the venue, buy a program, order your interval drinks and find your seat. To avoid disrupting both the audience and the performers, most performances have a lockout restricting entry until a suitable break in the performance: For some productions, the lockout can be until interval; for others, the entire show! So, please arrive early, maybe grab a drink or bite to eat before your show, and ensure you have the perfect Arts Centre Melbourne experience.

Whether it’s great coffee and a snack, full dinner before your show or a nightcap straight after, Arts Centre Melbourne has a range of food and beverage options, including: Cento Espresso, The Barre, Café Vic, Bar Mezz and Allegro. Foyer Bars in all our theatres are also open one hour prior to performances. Even better, become an Arts Centre Melbourne member, and you will get discounts to all these outlets! Arts Centre Melbourne can also help you with that special function you're planning, with a variety of rooms perfect for almost any event - our Conferences and Events page has more information and contact details.

The Companion Card has been developed by the Victorian Network on Recreation and Disability (VICNORD) and admits carers to shows as complimentary guests. Arts Centre Melbourne welcomes holders of this card to attend the many events on offer.

All Arts Centre Melbourne venues contain accessible seating for those with access requirements and their companions, and can be booked in person at Arts Centre Melbourne Box Office or on 1300 182 183. 

For any other access questions, Arts Centre Melbourne's Disability Access Manager would love to chat with you during office hours on (03) 9281 8503.

Our theatres are accessible via lifts in both the Theatres Building and Hamer Hall, and during show times we have an usher available to assist anyone with access needs to their seats. Both buildings also have multiple accessible toilet facilities. Assistance animals are welcome in all our theatres.

Assisted-listening devices for use in all seats of Arts Centre Melbourne venues (plus on Guided Tours and for meetings) are available free of charge. These devices use standard headphones or connect with hearing aids via a neck loop. Please speak to our staff when you arrive for assistance with obtaining these devices.

Braille is used in the lifts, as well as other areas of Arts Centre Melbourne. Other services including Captioning, Tactile Tours and AUSLAN interpretation are available for selected performances. Vision Australia provides Audio Description and Tactile Tours of selected performances.

Wheelchairs can be booked for use in our buildings through the Welcome Desk on (03) 9281 8298.

Although Arts Centre Melbourne car park has plenty of accessible spaces, it's still best to arrive early when possible. Holders of a valid Disabled Persons Parking Permit can also pre-reserve Valet parking at a specially discounted rate to the standard price.

The Vault it located in the Theatres Building (the building with the Spire) just behind our concierge desk on St Kilda Rd level where ‘Gallery 1’ was located.

The Arts Centre Melbourne car park operates on flat rates only - we do not have hourly rates. See information on our car parking page for details around rates at different times.

Arts Centre Melbourne car park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with several options available, including Permanent, Early Bird, Valet Parking, Casual and Accessible Parking. Entry is via Sturt and Kavanagh Streets, just off Southbank Boulevard.

Great news – Arts Centre Melbourne car park is open 24/7, meaning you can get access to your parked vehicle at any time. See information on our car parking page for details around rates at different times.

You’re in luck, yes! Arts Centre Melbourne wants a clean, green world too, so we have installed charging stations. See information on our car parking page for more information.

Arts Centre Melbourne car park entry is located on the corner of Sturt and Kavanagh Streets, Southbank. Our GPS address is 4 Sturt Street Southbank.

Our car park has a strict height restriction of 1.9m, so please only use our car park if your vehicle complies with this.

The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is a very versatile venue that can be configured in a lot of different ways however for a standard main stage the following options most likely will be available.

Stalls – The Stalls area is sold as a reserved seat area and is located under the canopy closest to stage. This area is very popular and usually sells very quickly.

Boxes/Balcony – The Boxes (or Balcony as it is sometimes known) is an area of reserved seats located above the stalls on the sides of the venue. This area offers a unique side view of the stage however is not often available as the view may be blocked by technical equipment or allocated to back of house guests. Seats in this area are very limited.

Terrace – The Terrace is a lawn area located up a small set of stairs directly behind the stalls and in front of the main lawn area. This area is not considered undercover. It is sometimes sold as a reserved seat area where small beach chairs are provided but increasingly it is sold as a general admission area that also allows access to the stalls facilities.

Lawn – The Lawn area is sold as a general admission area and is located behind the stalls and terrace area. It is not considered undercover. This is the largest area and is where the majority of ticket holders buy tickets. It has access to food trucks, toilets and bars.

Front General Admission – For some events the area directly in front of the stage (forward of the stalls reserved seats) is sold as a general admission area. Patrons who purchase these tickets get exclusive access to stand in the area but do not get a reserved seat. If this section is sold to patrons then the front two rows of reserved seats behind this area are sold as restricted view.

Yes. It is very common for patrons to stand (and dance) in the reserved seat area.

Yes. Patrons with a reserved seat ticket can access the lawn area and are free to move between the reserved seat and lawn areas at their discretion.

It depends on the ticket options available for the show and the number of patrons in the orchestra pit. If there is space and all designated ticket holders have been accommodated then it may be possible however reserved seat holders are only officially entitled to their allocated seat location.

Set times are provided by the promoter and are published once they are established however it is not unusual for the times to change and are sometimes not finalised until the day of the show. The latest set times will be published on Arts Centre Melbourne’s website where possible.

Support act details are provided by the promoter and are published once they are established however they may not be finalised until the day of the show. Keep an eye on Arts Centre Melbourne’s website for the latest news.

The curfew for a main stage concert is 11pm. Generally most shows will finish around this time. Shows that run for more than 5 hours have the earlier curfew time 10pm and will finish around this time.

The time that a main act starts can vary depending on the running time of the show and the number of support acts however most main acts start around 9pm. Running times are generally finalised a week prior to the show and placed on Arts Centre Melbourne’s website where possible.

Gates for the Sidney Myer Music Bowl will open an hour prior to the start time of the concert however on occasion this may change due to operational requirements. Keep an eye on Arts Centre Melbourne’s website for all the latest news.

Kings Domain Gardens, Linlithgow Ave, Melbourne VIC 3000.

The Channel is Arts Centre Melbourne learning and participation venue. This exciting, spacious venue boasts high tech learning labs, a world class recording studio and vocal booth, and a flexible multi-use space.

For information on how to get here please download & print our visitor's map prior to your visit.

The Channel is accessible – for more information, including wheelchair and Auslan bookings, please contact Arts Centre Melbourne’s Access Manager Wendy O’Neill on (03) 9281 8944 or wendy.oneill@artscentremelbourne.com.au during business hours.

The Channel is Arts Centre Melbourne learning and participation venue. This exciting, spacious venue boasts high tech learning labs, a world class recording studio and vocal booth, and a flexible multi-use space.

The Channel is Arts Centre Melbourne learning and participation venue. This exciting, spacious venue boasts high tech learning labs, a world class recording studio and vocal booth and a flexible multi-use space. Workshops and the Accessible Music Program take place at The Channel.

For information on how to get here please download & print our visitor's map prior to your visit.

Tixatsix tickets are only available at the Arts Centre Melbourne Theatres Building Box Office (under the spire on Level 5) from 6pm Melbourne local time each evening. This is the only place you can purchase tixatsix tickets, even if the show on offer is at Hamer Hall or the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

A minimum of 20 tickets are available every night*from 6pm, for $30 each, with a limit of 2 tickets per person per night. These tickets are allocated across one or more eligible performances that night, so the show could be anything from classical music to circus. Once this allocation has been sold, further tickets may not be available as part of the tixatsix offer.

*Please note: On rare nights our venues may be dark (without any performances on any of our stages), which means there won't be a tixatsix offering. So, be sure to check the What's On calendar for the most up-to-date list of upcoming events. For more information about tixatsix, please download our Terms and Conditions.

We reveal what show or shows are on offer at 5pm each night. You can find out by coming to the Box Office on Level 5 of the Theatres Building (under the spire), or by phoning our Contact Centre on 1300 182 183 (open Monday to Saturday).

Unfortunately this is a question we can’t answer as human behavior can be unpredictable – sometimes the queue starts at 5.45pm and sometimes it starts several hours earlier. Come at a time that feels comfortable for you, but remember that once you join the queue you will need to stay in it to keep your place in line.

Unfortunately, no. We want to make sure it’s fair for everyone so we don’t allow placeholders.

Tixatsix seating locations are allocated by the Trust and cannot be chosen by the customer.

Our Theatres and Exhibitions (front of house) tours are wheelchair accessible, and we can offer the portable audio loop to assist with hearing needs. Auslan Interpreters can also be arranged if requested far enough in advance. Our Backstage Tour meanders through some tricky parts of our building, which unfortunately means it is not accessible to wheelchairs. For further enquiries please contact Arts Centre Melbourne’s Disability Access Manager on (03) 9281 8503 during business hours

You certainly can. In fact, we would love to show and tell you about a bunch of stuff you might never know unless you get the lowdown from one of our excellent tour guides! Head to Explore the Buildings for more information.

There are no age restrictions on the Theatres & Exhibitions (front of house) Tours, but our Backstage Tours do have a minimum age requirement of 12-years-old. All minors 15 and under on any of our tours must be accompanied by an adult. 

Tours can be booked online, through our contact centre on 1300 812 813 or at our Box Office direct

We have an extensive archive of teacher resources from shows as far back as 2009. These are available for download as PDFs. You can find these resources here.

ArtsConnect9 brings Year 9 students from regional Victoria to Melbourne for world-class arts experiences for $9 per student, plus full travel reimbursement (teachers complimentary) - read up on the program and make a booking!

You can book here.

Arts Centre Melbourne is located at 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 between the National Gallery of Victoria and the Yarra River. It's only minutes away from Federation Square, Flinders Street Station and the CBD.

See our Getting Here page for information on public transport options.

Drop off points for chartered buses are located in the (city-bound) service lane of St Kilda Road outside the NGV and Hamer Hall, but there is no parking permitted at these locations. Two-hour bus parking is available opposite Arts Centre Melbourne along St Kilda Road and is regulated by the Melbourne City Council. For more details please visit melbourne.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9658 9658.

Parking for standard sized vehicles is available in Arts Centre Melbourne Car Park via the corner of Sturt and Kavanagh Streets, Southbank. Learn more about the Arts Centre Melbourne Car park.

The activities, ideas and learnings can be implemented across a range of educational areas. Our professional development workshops and sessions are open to all educators and pre-service teachers.

Will the professional learning activities I undertake as part of Arts Centre Melbourne’s professional leaning program align with the Australian Professional Standard for Teachers.

We don't want you to miss any of your performance or workshop, and we're sure you don't either, so we strongly encourage schools to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.

However, if you are running late please do get in touch.

If you are running late for a performance, please call the Concierge desk on (03) 9281 8298. On your arrival you will be admitted to the auditorium at a suitable break in the performance.

If you are running late for a workshop, please call The Channel on (03) 9281 8194.

Guided Tours. Our guides will take students through the foyers and into the auditoriums (where available) and reveal the history, design and function of the buildings, as well as explaining the significance of the artwork that fills the walls of our foyers. Find our more information about our Guided Tours.

Gallery Spaces. Free performing arts exhibitions are offered throughout the year in our main Gallery Space 1. 

Explore the area! Arts Centre Melbourne sits within the heart of Melbourne’s Cultural Precinct, with sites such as National Gallery of Victoria, ACMI, the State Library of Victoria and Melbourne Museum either a walk or tram ride away.

You can find out more about the Accessible Music Program or email our registered Music Therapists at amp@artscentremelbourne.com.au

You can download teachers’ resources from current and past productions here.

Participation certificates include the date and duration of the PD, and can be used as evidence of required PD hours for VIT registration.

It depends on the performance but usually no, you will not need a physical ticket for the show. Most school shows are dedicated matinees for schools only, and Front of House staff use a seating plan. Each school is greeted by our staff and seated in the auditorium as group. We ask that teachers sit among their students to ensure appropriate supervision across the entire group.  

Schools Performances
Please arrive at Arts Centre Melbourne Forecourt in front of the Theatres Building (under the spire) 30 minutes prior to your scheduled performance time. You will be met by a member of the Education team who will then direct your group to the appropriate foyer. This is good time to use the bathrooms before you proceed to the theatre. If you are bringing multiple age groups, it helps if classes are lined up with the most junior classes first as we like to seat them in front of the older children.

The Channel
The Channel is located next to Hamer Hall along the Yarra River. From St Kilda Road–Walk around Hamer Hall main entrance to the right, and pass Fatto Restaurant. The entrance to The Channel is the set of glass doors to your left. Staff will meet groups at Arts Centre Melbourne Reception at The Channel main entrance. Please arrive 5 minutes prior to the start time unless otherwise arranged.

ArtsConnect9 experiences
Please check your booking confirmation for venue locations and arrival times.

Enthusiasm and excitement!

Food and drinks are not permitted in the auditorium and all electronic devices must be switched off. We highly recommend that schools bags are left at school. For safety reasons, school bags cannot be brought into the auditorium. School lunches may be stored in the foyers and will be supervised by our staff.

For workshops in The Channel, bags can be stored in workshop spaces. Some workshops require pre-workshop tasks to be completed by students – make sure you check your emails and bring any of this material along on the day!

School lunches may be eaten on the lawn area between the Theatres Building and Hamer Hall or in the Queen Victoria Gardens opposite Arts Centre Melbourne. If it rains, students may eat lunches in the theatre foyers (subject to performance schedules). Please note: food and drinks are not permitted in the auditorium.

Check out the 5x5x5 website to experience the original compositions in a virtual journey through Arts Centre Melbourne.

In 2013 we wanted to do something that explored hidden places within Arts Centre Melbourne, and to create a unique artistic experience of these spaces. Our venues are often transitory spaces – people bustling through foyers to get in and out of shows, the constant ebb and flow of cars and people in and out of the carpark, the passing pedestrian traffic...so we wanted to create a journey through our bright and colourful halls encouraging people to stop and listen and contemplate for, well, 5 minutes.

Samantha Wolf; Kitty Xiao; Jakob Bragg; Joseph O’Connor; and Carolyn Schofield.

Producer – Joshua Cowie, Creative Learning Producer, Arts Centre Melbourne;
Artistic Director – Peter Knight;
Performer Coordinator – Matt Hoym, Academy of Music (ANAM);
Recording Engineer – Amy Bennett, Creative Learning Producer, Arts Centre Melbourne

LOL Squad LIVE perform at The Channel during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, but you can also watch LOL Squad sketches online

Register to perform your routine in a Class Clowns heat. Heats are held annually (usually during March) in the run up to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. For more information about the program visit the Class Clowns website

LOL Squad are a team of funny peeps aged 14 – 18 and are alumni from Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Class Clowns. It’s important to remember that if you are over 18, Class Clowns is not for you. You can, however, register to be a part of RAW Comedy

Yes! The Class Clowns Comedy Crash Course Workshop could be just what you are looking for. These workshops are for beginners and do not require any prior knowledge or skills. You can find out more about the school holidays program here or talk your teacher into booking a workshop for your class here.

Aardvark welcomes referrals from young people, supporting professionals and parents. For enquiries and a referral form, contact: Aardvark Creative Director, Meagan Hunt - meaganhunt@aardvarkworldwide.org or Aardvark Music Therapist, Lucy Bolger - lucybolger@aardvarkworldwide.org or visit www.aardvarkworldwide.org

Aardvark is a not-for-profit organisation that uses the power of music, combined with support, peer connection and collaboration to give young people living with major adversity the opportunity to expand their identity and wellbeing through creative self-expression and skills development. Aardvark focuses on providing a community for young people with similar life experiences and who require extra support to access music and song writing opportunities. Emphasis is also placed on providing opportunities for future pathways into leadership and employment.

We do a shout out in January each year for New Slang event team members. Applications are submitted online. For details contact The Push on (03) 9380 1277 or email push@thepush.com.au

The New Slang events team are teens aged 15-17, but anyone can attend a New Slang gig Keep up to date with New Slang gigs by subscribing to the Arts Centre Melbourne mailing list or check out the What’s On pages of our website.

The Push is a Victorian non-profit youth music organisation established in 1986. Through a wide range of music related programs The Push aim to educate, entertain, inspire and empower young people. The Push works with music for young people as event organisers, audiences, community members and creative artists in a range of programs including band competitions, dance workshops, mentoring, and creative and professional development programs.

Operator is fully booked for 2017. To be contacted about the next round of Operator workshops, please complete the Operator application form

Operator is a targeted program for women/trans/gender non-binary individuals aged 16 years and over. All participants should have some musical experience in song writing and performing.

Ableton Live is a software music sequencer and digital audio workstation designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for composing, recording, arranging, mixing and mastering. It’s used by music producers, DJs and others in the music industry. The Ableton Live User Group Melbourne is a community of producers, musicians and like-minded creatives who gather to share ideas, discuss production techniques and present works-in-progress to their peers. They meet, monthly, at The Channel. For more information check out the Ableton Live Facebook page

Many of our extended learning programs are special, one-off events created for a specific show or learning experience, such as Design Academy. On the other hand, programs like Stories in the Wall have been running for several years.

Email schools@artscentremelbourne.com.au to register your interest or find out more about the project.

You can find out more about Stories in the Wall and listen to past stories here

In 2017, three Victorian primary schools along with 18 secondary students will be selected to take a part in this special project. For Arts Centre Melbourne, the creatives on the project included: Project Manager – Joshua Cowie; Playwrights – Amelia Evans and Dan Giovannoni; Creative Learning Team – David Rogers, Amy Bennett, Joshua Cowie and Zoe Rinkel

Arts Centre Melbourne’s creative learning producers are always developing exciting workshops to extend young people’s creativity and knowledge of the arts. To keep up to date with Arts Learning events, subscribe to our eNews - email us at schools@artscentremelbourne.com.au

For schools, before the event, email firstcallfund@artscentremelbourne.com.au a quote from your bus company. The amount the First Call Fund can contribute to your costs will then be clarified in writing. After the event, email a copy of your receipt of payment to the bus company and invoice Arts Centre Melbourne for the determined amount (Note: The level of contribution is determined on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.) For community groups, costs are calculated at $7 per person, up to $350 (50 people). Pricing is based on the cost of an adult Myki ticket. Organisations are to invoice Arts Centre Melbourne directly. A transport subsidy is at the complete discretion of the First Call Fund assessment committee and on a performance by performance basis, and cannot be guaranteed.

For schools, your assessed application is valid for the activities you apply for. There may be some limits and all shows are subject to availability, so get in touch to discuss how to make the most of the First Call Fund throughout the year. For community groups, your assessed application is valid for 12 months and you are welcome to make multiple bookings in this time. There may be some limits and all shows are subject to availability, so get in touch to discuss how to make the most of the First Call Fund throughout the year.

For schools there is no limit to how many tickets you can book (subject to availability). For community groups, considering the breadth of shows available, limits may apply.

The First Call Fund was created by Arts Centre Melbourne to help remove barriers that prevent Victorians from participating in the arts. The Fund provides support specifically to schools and community groups so they can experience the huge variety of live performances, workshops and other participatory events at Arts Centre Melbourne. It is available to any Victorian school or community group that meets the selection criteria.

Please note: While the First Call Fund exists for those who need it, we are not able to assess applications directly from individuals. Our First Call Fund relationships are built with schools and organisations that represent individuals and families and who access the Fund on their behalf. Find out more about the First Call Fund.

Workshops for families take place on some weekends and throughout school holiday periods. See the What’s On section for more information or sign up to our eNews to be the first to know about the latest Families and Youth events and special offers. You can subscribe here.

Composure events are held regularly at The Channel. For the latest event, see our What’s On page or sign up to Arts Centre Melbourne’s eNews.

Anyone interested in learning more about various aspects of music making should enjoy these events.

Arts Centre Melbourne’s Family Learning program is designed to be a shared experience between children and their families, so all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Age recommendations for family and youth workshops are listed on event pages to help children and families get the most out of their experience, so always refer to these as a guide to suitability.

Online*: artscentremelbourne.com.au/kids

Telephone*: 1300 182 183 from 9am to 8:30pm, Monday to Saturday

In person: Arts Centre Melbourne's Box Office (100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne) is open 9am to 8:30pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 5pm on Sunday

*Transaction fee applies

Arts Centre Melbourne’s creative learning producers are always developing exciting programs and events for their audiences.

To keep up to date with events at The Channel, subscribe to our eNews.