Performing Arts Collection

The Performing Arts Collection at Arts Centre Melbourne is the largest specialist performing arts collection in Australia, with over 600,000 items relating to the history of circus, dance, music, opera and theatre in Australia and of Australian performers overseas.

History

The Performing Arts Collection was established as the Performing Arts Museum in 1979.

Highlights of the collections

The Australian Ballet Collection
J.C. Williamson Theatres Ltd Collection
Nellie Melba collections, including the Nellie Melba Stage Wardrobe and the John Lemmone Collection
Kylie Minogue Collection
Nick Cave Collection
Barry Humphries Collection
Peter Allen Collection
Juke Magazine Archive
Ashton Family Circuses Collection
Circus Oz Collection
Sydney Dance Company Collection, and personal collections from Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon
Kristian Fredrikson Collection
Kenneth Rowell Collection
Reg Livermore Collection
Bell Shakespeare Collection
Chamber Made Opera Company Collection
Playbox Theatre Company Collection
Kenn Brodziak Collection, relating to The Beatles Australian Tour
Chunky Move Collection
Handspan Theatre Collection
Split Enz Costume Collection
Australian Archives of the Dance

Exhibitions

The Performing Arts Collection holds frequent exhibitions in its galleries (Gallery 1, Gallery 2, St Kilda Road Foyer Gallery and Smorgon Family Plaza). Exhibitions subjects have included AC/DC, Kylie Minogue, Peter Allen, and Nick Cave and have toured nationally and internationally.

Virtual Galleries

Directors

Frank van Straten (1984-1993)
Janine Barrand

References

Cultural collections ([Melbourne], Vic. : Victorian Arts Centre, [2003])

External links

Collections, at Arts Centre Melbourne

37°49′13″S 144°58′6″E / 37.82028°S 144.96833°E / -37.82028; 144.96833Coordinates: 37°49′13″S 144°58′6″E / 37.82028°S 144.96833°E / -37.82028; 144.96833