Arts Centre Melbourne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arts Centre Melbourne |
|
|---|---|
Arts Centre Melbourne's spire
|
|
| Former names | Victorian Arts Centre |
| General information | |
| Type | Performing arts centre |
| Location | Southbank, Victoria, Australia |
| Coordinates | 37°49′13″S 144°58′6″E / 37.82028°S 144.96833°E |
| Construction started | 1973 |
| Completed | 1984 |
| Owner | Victorian Arts Centre Trust |
| Height | 162 m (531 ft) (was 115 m (377 ft) with original spire) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Roy Grounds and Company |
| Other designers | John Truscott |
| Official name | Victorian Arts Centre |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Criteria | a, b, d, e, f, g, h |
| Designated | August 20, 1982 |
| Reference no. | H1500 |
| Heritage Overlay number | HO760 |
Arts Centre Melbourne is a famous place for performing arts in Melbourne, Australia. It was first called the Victorian Arts Centre. This large complex has many theatres and concert halls. You can find it in Southbank, right in the heart of Melbourne.
The famous architect Sir Roy Grounds designed the Arts Centre. Plans for the complex were approved in 1960. Building started in 1973 after some delays. The different parts of the centre opened at different times. Hamer Hall opened in 1982, and the Theatres Building opened in 1984.
Arts Centre Melbourne is located near the Yarra River and St Kilda Road. This is one of Melbourne's main streets. Many big performing groups use the Arts Centre. These include Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. It also hosts many shows from Australia and around the world.
The Arts Centre Melbourne is an important historical site. It is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Contents
Discovering the Arts Centre's History
What Was Here Before?
The land where Arts Centre Melbourne stands has always been a place for fun. In the early 1900s, it had a circus, an amusement park, a cinema, and a dance hall. There was even an ice-skating rink and a miniature train!
During World War II, people wanted to build a new home for the National Gallery of Victoria here. They also wanted a state theatre. The land was a tricky shape, which made building difficult. By the 1960s, the entertainment had moved away. The area became a simple parking lot.
How Was the Arts Centre Built?
After many talks, Roy Grounds was chosen as the architect. His big plan for a gallery and a theatre with a tall copper spire was approved in 1960. Building was hard because the ground was very wet. They had to dig deep, about 7 meters below water level. The first spire Grounds imagined was 115 meters tall. It was one of the first buildings in Australia to use computers for its design.
The art gallery was finished in 1968. The theatres were planned for a second stage.
Who Helped Build It?
A special committee was in charge of the project. Kenneth Myer led this committee for many years. George Fairfax, an actor and director, became the first general manager. He helped guide the project for a long time.
In the early 1970s, the plans changed. The theatre and concert hall needed to be bigger. Also, the ground was difficult to build on. So, Roy Grounds redesigned the whole project. The concert hall was moved closer to the river. The theatres building was made taller, with a special spire above it.
Building on the theatre site started in 1973. Digging took longer than expected, finishing in 1978. Work on the concert hall began in 1976. The spire was a complex part of the design. It was finally completed on October 20, 1981.
After the buildings were almost done, John Truscott was hired. He was an Academy Award-winning designer. He decorated the inside of the buildings. He added special finishes to the concert hall and brass balls to the State Theatre's ceiling.
The Arts Centre's management was set up in 1979. A group of trustees was put in charge. They manage the public performing arts spaces. These include the Theatres Building, Hamer Hall, and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
When Did the Arts Centre Open?
The Concert Hall opened in November 1982. There was still a lot of work to do on the Theatres building. The rest of Arts Centre Melbourne opened gradually in 1984. The Theatres building officially opened in October of that year. This finished one of the biggest public building projects in Victoria's history. It had taken almost 25 years to complete.
The Arts Centre Melbourne is special because many of its theatres are built underground. Hamer Hall was planned to be almost entirely underground. This would have given a clear view between the spire, the river, and Flinders Street railway station. But problems with the foundations meant it had to be built three stories above ground.
The original design for the Theatres Building included a copper-covered spire. This was too expensive, so a shorter, uncovered spire was built instead. Later, this was replaced with the tall, uncovered spire you see today.
The Spire's New Look
By the mid-1990s, the spire started to show wear. The Arts Centre decided to replace it. The new spire was finished in 1996. It is 162 meters tall and still based on Roy Grounds' original idea. The spire lights up at night with thousands of lights. Its metal design was inspired by a ballerina's tutu and the Eiffel Tower.
Recent Events at the Arts Centre
In 2008, two large birds, a wedge-tailed eagle and a peregrine falcon, were used. They helped scare away sulphur-crested cockatoos. The cockatoos were damaging the spire's lights.
On New Year's Eve 2012, fireworks accidentally set the spire on fire. Two sides of the spire caught fire, and burning pieces fell to the ground. The fire lasted about 40 minutes. Luckily, it only caused minor damage.
In 2016, two protesters climbed the spire. They were protesting about the Nauru detention centre. They stayed on top for 11 hours and displayed a banner.
As of 2022, there are plans for a big upgrade to the theatre. This is part of a large project to transform the Melbourne Arts Precinct.
Exploring the Buildings and Venues
Arts Centre Melbourne has a large steel spire with a wide base. It is made up of several different performance spaces. Hamer Hall is a separate building. The other venues are inside the Theatres Building, under the spire.
Hamer Hall Hamer Hall is a large concert hall with 2,466 seats. It is the biggest venue at Arts Centre Melbourne. It is used for orchestra and modern music shows. It opened in 1982 and was later named after Sir Rupert Hamer, a former leader of Victoria.
State Theatre The State Theatre is inside the Theatres Building, under the spire. It has 2,079 seats. This theatre is used for opera, ballet, and theatre performances. It opened in 1984 and has one of the largest stages in the world.
Playhouse The Playhouse is also in the Theatres Building. It has 884 seats. This theatre is used for plays and dance shows. It also opened in 1984.
Fairfax Studio The Fairfax Studio is another theatre in the Theatres Building. It has 376 seats and opened in 1984.
Galleries Arts Centre Melbourne also has special gallery spaces. These include the Australian Music Vault and other galleries. Their walls and central areas are used for art shows.
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is an outdoor arena. It is managed by Arts Centre Melbourne. It can hold 12,000 people on the lawn and 2,150 in seats. It is used for music concerts.
Australian Performing Arts Collection
Arts Centre Melbourne is home to the Australian Performing Arts Collection. This is the biggest collection of performing arts items in Australia. It has over 510,000 items. These items show the history of circus, dance, music, opera, and theatre in Australia. They also include things about Australian performers who worked overseas.
People Behind the Arts Centre
In August 2022, Karen Louise Quinlan was chosen as the new chief executive of Arts Centre Melbourne. She started her new role in October 2022. Before this, she led the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. She is recognized for her important work in the visual arts.
See also
- List of concert halls
