Australian dance is set to gain a dedicated space to celebrate its rich history and vibrant legacy with the opening of the Australian Museum of Performing Arts (AMPA) in Melbourne in December 2025. Located within Hamer Hall at Arts Centre Melbourne, this new cultural institution promises to be a treasure trove for dance enthusiasts, offering a permanent home for the nation's performing arts collection.
For 50 years, the Australian Performing Arts Collection has meticulously catalogued and preserved the nation's performing arts heritage, encompassing a vast repository of over 850,000 objects. This extensive collection, housed at Arts Centre Melbourne, is the largest of its kind dedicated to the stage in Australia. While glimpses of this incredible archive have previously been seen in foyer displays, tours, and loans, AMPA will provide an unprecedented opportunity for the public to immerse themselves in the stories of Australian performance.
Dance, as a fundamental pillar of Australia's performing arts landscape, is a key focus of the new museum. AMPA will draw heavily on the Australian Performing Arts Collection to showcase the history, successes, and enduring legacy of dance in this country. Among the esteemed Australian arts institutions featured in the collection, The Australian Ballet is specifically highlighted, promising insights into the history and artistry of one of the nation's most celebrated dance companies.
While the inaugural exhibition details are yet to be announced (expected in September), the very existence of a dedicated museum space for performing arts, explicitly including dance, signifies a major step in acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of dancers, choreographers, companies, and creatives who have shaped Australia's dance identity. The vast collection includes costumes, objects, and other artefacts that tell the stories of countless performances and the artists who brought them to life.
Arts Centre Melbourne CEO Karen Quinlan expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, "Through treasured objects, iconic performers and a rich theatrical legacy, AMPA will enable us to share with the world the incredible performing arts history and stories of the stages of Australia and beyond." This vision clearly extends to the dynamic and diverse world of Australian dance.
The museum will open in two phases, with the first phase in December 2025 offering nearly 500 square metres of exhibition space. A second, larger phase will follow, further expanding the museum's capacity to showcase the collection. Beyond its own holdings, AMPA is also set to host touring international showcases, potentially bringing global dance history and practice to Melbourne.
The opening of the Australian Museum of Performing Arts represents a landmark moment for the performing arts in Australia, and particularly for the dance community. It will provide a vital platform for preserving, interpreting, and sharing the captivating history of dance, ensuring that the legacy of Australian dance artists and companies is celebrated and accessible for generations to come.