ACMI (museum) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
ACMI

Established	2002
Location	Federation Square, Melbourne, Australia
Visitors	1,316,000 (2016)
Public transit access	Flinders Street Stop 13 – Federation Square

ACMI, which used to be called the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, is Australia's national museum for all things screen-related. This includes movies, TV shows, video games, and digital art. ACMI first opened in 2002. You can find it at Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia.

ACMI has many cool exhibitions, including its main one called The Story of the Moving Image. They also show movies regularly and host special events. Plus, they have a library and an online collection of films and videos. ACMI also runs programs to help students learn more about screen culture.

A Look Back: ACMI's Story

How it All Started

Before ACMI, there was a place called the State Film Centre of Victoria. It started in 1946 and was all about films. In the 1950s, this centre helped make TV shows, which was a brand new thing back then. It also kept old Australian films safe, like The Sentimental Bloke from 1919.

In the 1960s, the centre helped local filmmakers with their movies. In 1969, they opened a special cinema. This cinema showed films that you couldn't see in regular movie theatres.

The 1970s saw the centre collecting student films. They also gathered movies from Australia's growing film industry. Some famous films they collected include Homesdale (1971) and Alvin Purple (1973). In 1988, they started an education program. This program showed films to students and helped their teachers.

Building ACMI at Federation Square

In 1993, people decided that a national centre for moving images was a great idea. In 1997, a design for the new centre was chosen. It would be built at Federation Square, a new public space in Melbourne.

ACMI officially opened on January 1, 2002. The first parts of the museum opened in October that year. They featured two exciting exhibitions. A few weeks later, ACMI's cinemas also opened their doors.

In 2009, the Screen Worlds gallery opened. This was a free, permanent exhibition. It taught visitors all about movies, TV, and digital culture. Famous actress Cate Blanchett helped open it. She even loaned her Oscar award for a while!

A Fresh New Look in 2021

In May 2019, ACMI closed for a big upgrade. It cost $40 million to make it even better! The museum reopened in February 2021. It now features a brand new main exhibition. This exhibition is called The Story of the Moving Image.

ACMI worked with BKK Architects to redesign the museum. They also teamed up with Publicis Sapient/Second Story. These companies helped design the main exhibition and other cool labs.

Who Leads ACMI?

Many talented people have led ACMI over the years.

• John J. Smithies was the first director and CEO in 2002.
• Tony Sweeney took over in 2005. He helped ACMI grow a lot.
• Katrina Sedgwick was the director from 2015 to 2022.
• Today, Sebastian Chan is the Director and CEO. He started in August 2022.

The Story of the Moving Image

This is ACMI's main exhibition. It's a huge space, about 1,600 square meters! It explores the past, present, and future of films, TV, video games, and art. You can see over 900 objects from all over the world here.

What You'll See

Moving Pictures

This part shows how moving pictures first started. You'll see old inventions and learn about the people who made them. There are also fun interactive displays.

Moving Worlds

Here, you can explore how films, TV shows, and video games are made. See costumes, characters, and learn about visual effects. You can even learn about Foley art, which is how sound effects are made!

Moving Australia

This section highlights Australia's screen industry. It features cool objects and art from Australian creators. You'll also see important works by First Nations artists.

Games Lab

The Games Lab is a super fun part of the exhibition. It has video games from both local and international creators. You can play twelve different games here! You'll also learn about the history of video games. This section is supported by Big Ant Studios.

Moving Minds

This area focuses on factual media. It covers everything from old newsreels to documentaries. You'll also learn about war reporting and video art.

First Nations Artworks

Throughout the exhibition, you'll find amazing art by First Nations artists. One key artwork is Yanmeeyar by Vicki Couzens. There's also Canopy, a multi-screen artwork by John Harvey.

Get Hands-On: Interactive Fun

The Lens

The Lens is a special device you can use at ACMI. It's a small, black disc that you can take home. As you go through the exhibition, you can tap the Lens on displays. This collects artworks and objects you like. Later, you can see your collection online and get more info!

Constellation

At the end of The Story of the Moving Image, you'll find the Constellation. This is a room with big touchscreen tables. When you use your Lens here, it connects your collected items. It then suggests hundreds of other films, TV shows, and games you might like.

Edit Line

Ever wanted to edit a movie? The Edit Line lets you try! You arrange physical blocks, each with a famous quote. This triggers a clip from a movie or TV show on a big screen. You can even save your creation to your Lens!

Foley Studio

In the Foley Studio, you can add sound effects to scenes. Use everyday objects to create sounds for shows like Round the Twist. It's a fun way to learn about how sounds are made for films. You can save your sound creations to your Lens too.

Memory Garden

Step into the Memory Garden for an immersive experience. It shows old Australian home movies from the 1930s. Beams of light react when you hold out your hands, bringing the old films to life.

Shadow Play

This interactive experience is in the Moving Pictures section. You use your body to control virtual puppets. These puppets are projected onto a screen in front of you.

Exhibitions at ACMI

ACMI has several galleries that host different exhibitions.

Gallery 1

Gallery 1 is now home to the main exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image. This gallery was renovated in 2021. Before that, it hosted many temporary exhibitions.

Current Exhibition

Exhibition	Opened	Closed	Origin	Content Partner
The Story of the Moving Image	11 February 2021		ACMI

Gallery 2

Gallery 2 opened in 2009. It's a smaller, more flexible space for different kinds of shows.

Current Exhibition

Exhibition	Opened	Closed	Origin	Content Partner
Memo Akten: Distributed Consciousness	16 June 2023	16 June 2024

Gallery 3

Gallery 3 opened in 2021. It shows special artworks and smaller exhibitions.

Current Exhibition

Exhibition	Opened	Closed	Origin/Partner
Angela Tiatia: The Dark Current	5 Sep 2023		Ian Potter Moving Image Commission

Gallery 4

Gallery 4 also opened in 2021. It hosts bigger exhibitions, including the famous Melbourne Winter Masterpieces.

Current Exhibition

Exhibition	Opened	Closed	Origin
Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature	23 November 2023	14 April 2024	Marshmallow Laser Feast

Gallery 5 (Online)

Gallery 5 is a special online space. It started in 2020. Here, you can find virtual exhibitions and performances. It also supports artists who create digital art for the internet.

Current Exhibition

Exhibition	Opened	Closed	Origin
Emile Zile: We Are As Gods	1 November 2023

Programs and Events

Film Programs

ACMI has a year-round film program. They show movies from Australia and all over the world. ACMI has two cinemas. They can show many different types of films, both old and new.

Some of their ongoing film programs include:

• *Matinees* – Classic movies, documentaries, and musicals.
• *Big Screen Premieres* – Watch episodes of new TV series in the cinema! This is for ACMI Members.

ACMI also celebrates famous actors, directors, and film styles. They've had special seasons about directors like Wong Kar-wai and Tim Burton.

Public Programs

ACMI hosts talks and workshops for everyone. These can be in person or online. Some regular programs include a Women & Non-Binary Gamers Club and a First Nations Film Club. They also have fun workshops for families during school holidays.

Festivals

ACMI is a popular place for film festivals. Many different festivals use ACMI's cinemas.

Some Current Festival Partners

• Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC)
• Japanese Film Festival (JFF)
• Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)
• Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF)

Collections and Preservation

The ACMI Collection has over 250,000 items! This includes films, objects, video games, and digital art. It started in 1947 as a collection for education. Now, it has all kinds of moving images. ACMI works with other museums and universities to keep these items safe. Many items can be seen online on the ACMI website or YouTube channel.

Blackmagic Design Media Preservation Lab

You can see this special lab at ACMI. It's a public space where ACMI's team works. They preserve old films and digital art. This means they make sure these precious items last a long time.

Education

ACMI has great programs for schools and teachers. They offer exhibition visits, workshops, and film programs. They also provide online resources and training for teachers.

Touring Exhibitions

ACMI sends its exhibitions to other places. This means more people can enjoy them!

Some Touring Exhibitions

Wonderland

This exhibition has traveled to Singapore, New Zealand, and Perth, Australia.

DreamWorks Animation: The Exhibition

This popular show has been to Singapore, New Zealand, South Korea, Mexico, Canada, and Brazil. It also toured Australia and the USA.

Cleverman

This exhibition has toured many regional galleries across Australia.

Code Breakers: Women in Games

This exhibition highlights the role of women in video games. It has toured many places in Australia and New Zealand.

Online Fun

ACMI has a strong online presence. They update their website and social media often.

YouTube

ACMI has several YouTube channels.

• The main channel has talks, interviews, and behind-the-scenes videos.
• The ACMI Collection channel shows old home videos and educational films.
• The ACMI Education channel has videos for students and teachers.

Cinema 3

This is ACMI's online platform where you can rent movies. It features new films and old classics.

Gallery 5 (Online)

As mentioned before, Gallery 5 is an online space for virtual art and performances.

Stories & Ideas

ACMI's website has a section called "Stories & Ideas." Here, you can read essays, interviews, and articles. They cover topics about film, TV, video games, and digital art.

The Story of the Moving Image Online

You can explore a shorter version of ACMI's main exhibition online. It covers Australian TV, film, video games, and more.

ACMI Publications

ACMI also publishes books about screen culture. Some titles include Game Masters: The Exhibition and The story of the moving image.

Shop and Spaces

ACMI Shop

ACMI has a gift shop. You can buy books, gifts, and unique items related to screen culture. They often work with local artists.

Event Spaces

ACMI has many spaces for events. These include the main exhibition area, cinemas, and studios. They can host everything from small meetings to large gatherings.

Working with Others

ACMI X

ACMI X is a special office space. It helps creative people and businesses working in film, TV, and games. They get resources and chances to meet other professionals.

ACMI + RMIT Audience Lab

ACMI and RMIT University invite game developers and artists to show their work. Visitors can give feedback on new games and projects. Famous games like Untitled Goose Game have been tested here!

ACMI + RMIT Games Prize

This prize is given to a talented student from RMIT University. It celebrates games that show artistic potential.

Awards

ACMI and its exhibitions have won many awards. These awards recognize their great design and innovative programs.

Awards for the Museum

• Australian Institute of Architects’ 2021 Victorian Architecture Awards (Winner for Interior Architecture)
• Melbourne Design Awards 2021 (Gold Winner for Interior Design)
• Good Design Awards 2021 (Winner for Architectural Design)

Awards for The Story of the Moving Image

• MAGNA (Museums & Galleries Awards) – Highly Commended
• Good Design Awards 2021 (Gold Winner for the Constellation interactive experience)
• SEGD Global Design Awards 2022 (Merit and Honour Awards for digital experiences)

Brand Awards

ACMI's new look and logo have also won awards.

Website and Post-visit Awards

ACMI's website and virtual tours have won awards for being excellent.

Past Attractions

ACMI has changed over time. Here are some things that used to be there:

Screen Worlds

This was a permanent exhibition that explored the moving image. It had interactive displays and games. Screen Worlds closed in 2019 for the museum's big renovation.

Australian Mediatheque

This was a free viewing station. You could watch films and TV clips from ACMI and the National Film and Sound Archive. It closed in 2017.

Screen It

Screen It was an annual filmmaking competition for school students. Students could create live action films, animations, or video games. There was a Red Carpet Awards Gala each year. The competition ended after 2019.

Games Lab (Old)

The original Games Lab was a display area for interactive video games. It celebrated the history of games and their place in Australian culture. This old Games Lab was later made part of the Screen Worlds exhibition.