55-667: Arts Centre Melbourne , originally known as the Victorian Arts Centre and briefly called the Arts Centre , is a performing arts centre consisting of a complex of theatres and concert halls in the Melbourne Arts Precinct , located in the central Melbourne suburb of Southbank in Victoria , Australia. It was designed by architect Sir Roy Grounds , the masterplan for the complex (along with
110-763: A Health and Human Relations Education curriculum and compulsory Physical Education in government schools. Also, it completed the construction of the Victorian Arts Centre , established the Australian Children's Television Foundation , established the Meat Market Craft Centre , acquired and established the Heide Museum of Modern Art , created Film Victoria and reconstituted the Victorian College of
165-544: A major upgrade of the theatre, as part of the $ 1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation project. Arts Centre Melbourne features a large steel spire with a wrap-around base. It is a complex of distinct venues. Hamer Hall is a separate building and the largest of the venues. The other venues (the State Theatre, Playhouse, Fairfax Studio and The Show Room) are housed in the Theatres Building (under
220-709: A patron of the Public Transport Users Association from 1989. He died of heart failure in his sleep on 23 March 2004, and his family accepted the offer of a state funeral from the Labor Premier, Steve Bracks . Hamer was praised by Victorians of all political views. The former Labor federal president, Barry Jones (and was a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly between 1972 and 1977 serving alongside then Premier Hamer), called him "the finest flower in
275-473: A reformist liberal agenda particularly in human services, education, environment protection, planning and the arts. It reformed the administration of the highly centralised Department of Education in Victoria into a regionalised organisation with devolution of greater control to local schools. It established a Special Assistance Program to address illiteracy and innumeracy in primary schools. It introduced
330-502: A solicitor. His three siblings all achieved success in their fields: his sister was Alison Patrick (1921–2009), an internationally known historian of the French Revolution ; his brothers were David Hamer (1923–2002), a federal Liberal politician, and Alan, a Rhodes Scholar, chemist and managing director of ICI Australia. Hamer was educated at Melbourne Grammar School and Geelong Grammar School and graduated in law from
385-415: Is a single space intended for use by various types of performing arts, including dance, music and theatre. The intended multiple use of performing arts centers in this sense differentiates them from single-purpose concert halls , opera houses , or theatres , although the actual use of single-purpose spaces for other than their intended use is widespread. This sort of space has a long history, extending to
440-579: Is an outdoor arena also managed by Arts Centre Melbourne. It seats 12,000 on the lawn area and 2,150 in reserved seating, and is used for music concerts. The Australian Performing Arts Collection at Arts Centre Melbourne is the foremost and largest specialist performing arts collection in Australia, with over 510,000 items relating to the history of circus, dance, music, opera and theatre in Australia and of Australian performers overseas. Many of Australia's national performing arts companies are represented in
495-497: Is located in the Theatres Building of Arts Centre Melbourne under the spire, and is a 2,079-seat theatre used for opera , ballet and theatre performances. It was opened in 1984, and has one of the largest stages in the World. Playhouse The Playhouse is also located in the Theatres Building of Arts Centre Melbourne and is an 884-seat theatre used for plays and dance performances. It was also opened in 1984. The premiere production
550-1053: Is the Celebrity Series of Boston renting venues in Boston's Boch Center . Examples of performance arts complexes include the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Sydney Opera House , and the Lincoln Center in New York City . For a selection of venues with these terms in their titles, see: Rupert Hamer Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kew (1971–1981) Premier of Victoria Elections Related Sir Rupert James "Dick" Hamer , AC , KCMG , ED (29 July 1916 – 23 March 2004)
605-403: Is usually a complex housing performance spaces for various performing arts, including dance, music, and theatre. In some cases it refers to a single multi-use space, or alternatively, to a performing arts college. The origin of the world's oldest performing art, Noh , dates back to the 6th and 7th centuries when performing arts came to Japan from mainland China. Starting in the 6th century BC,
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#1732793504598660-528: The Burwood tram line from Warrigal Road to Middleborough Road. These were the first new trams and first new tram line since 1956, when Bolte stopped further expansion of the system and cancelled an order for 30 extra W7 class trams . Restrictions on shop trading hours, and on public entertainment on Sundays, were eased. A major new centre for the performing arts, the Arts Centre Melbourne ,
715-630: The Labor opposition under Clyde Holding , increasing his party's already large majority. He won an even larger victory in 1976, defeating Holding yet again. Hamer, assisted by key allies such as Planning Minister Alan Hunt , Conservation Minister Bill Borthwick , Attorney-General Haddon Storey , Social Welfare Minister Vasey Houghton , Housing and Youth Sport and Recreation Minister Brian Dixon and Community Welfare Services Minister Walter Jona moved to modernise and liberalise government in Victoria. Environmental protection laws were greatly strengthened,
770-668: The Melbourne Theatre Company , The Production Company , Victorian Opera , Bell Shakespeare , Bangarra Dance Theatre and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra . Arts Centre Melbourne also hosts many Australian and international performances and production companies. Arts Centre Melbourne is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register . Arts Centre Melbourne's site has long been associated with arts and entertainment; in
825-602: The National Gallery of Victoria ) was approved in 1960 and construction began in 1973 following some delays. The complex opened in stages, with Hamer Hall opening in 1982 and the Theatres Building opening in 1984. Arts Centre Melbourne is located by the Yarra River and along St Kilda Road , one of the city's main thoroughfares, and extends into the Melbourne Arts Precinct . Major companies regularly performing include Opera Australia , The Australian Ballet ,
880-678: The State Theatre , to which he added perforated brass balls. During his tenure, Arts Minister Norman Lacy was constantly called on to defend the Victorian Arts Centre Trust and its construction program during some highly charged public debates in the parliament. He had to defend the acoustics, the design of the spire, the rejection of the proposed changes to the Concert Hall interiors, the BASS ticketing system of
935-962: The University of Melbourne , where he was resident at Trinity College from 1936. He was a member, with his brother Alan, of the College First XVIII Australian Rules football team, and was Secretary of the Student Club. He joined the Melbourne University Regiment of the Australian Army in 1935 and served with them until 1939. He was commissioned as an officer in August 1940 in 2nd/43rd Battalion AIF and served at Tobruk , Syria , El Alamein , New Guinea and in Normandy . He
990-856: The Windsor Hotel and Regent Theatre in Melbourne and Shamrock Hotel in Bendigo. By 1979, however, the gloss was wearing off the Hamer image, as Victoria was beset by increasing economic difficulties, rising unemployment, industrial unrest and a decline in Victoria's traditional manufacturing industrial base. At the same time, the Labor Party was mounting a stronger challenge to the Liberals than it had in some time. Frank Wilkes had taken over as ALP leader from Holding in 1977, and took Labor into
1045-404: The death penalty was abolished, Aboriginal communities were given ownership of their lands, abortion and homosexuality were decriminalised and anti-discrimination laws were introduced. Hamer began the modernisation of Melbourne's moribund tramway system (now the world's biggest by route length), ordering 100 new trams immediately with further orders following, and approving the extension of
1100-509: The 1960s, all the entertainment had left and the lot had turned into an improvised parking for city workers. After many years of discussion, Roy Grounds was chosen as the architect, and his master plan of a gallery and an adjacent theatre under a tall copper spire was approved in 1960. One of the main challenge of the construction was to dry up and retain the waters out of the base, as the construction went as deep as 7 m (23 ft) below water levels. The original spire envisaged by Grounds
1155-554: The 1979 election with a realistic chance of winning government for the first time since 1955. Ultimately, the Liberals suffered an 11-seat swing, losing many seats in eastern Melbourne. Their majority was reduced to only one seat, although they could also count on the support of the rural-based National Country Party . In spite of the setback, Hamer continued in office. He promoted some new younger ministers such as Lou Lieberman (Planning), Norman Lacy (Educational Services and The Arts) and Jeff Kennett (Housing) who continued to pursue
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#17327935045981210-578: The Arts . These changes were not enough to prevent Labor from taking seven seats off the Coalition in Victoria at the 1980 federal election , over half of its nationwide 12-seat swing. During this period the conservative wing of the Liberal Party, which had always disliked Hamer's social liberalism, began to undermine his position. The leading conservative, Economic Development Minister Ian Smith ,
1265-592: The Classical period of performing art began in Greece, ushered in by the tragic poets such as Sophocles . These poets wrote plays which, in some cases, incorporated dance (see Euripides ). The Hellenistic period began the widespread use of comedy. Much of which was performed live in a center-point of the community. In 1576, Britain's first playhouse, "The Theatre", was built in Finsbury Fields , London. It
1320-556: The Liberals. At the election the following year the Liberals were defeated after 27 years in power. Hamer is the last non-elected Victorian Premier to have subsequently been elected in his own right. Hamer remained active in public and community affairs after his retirement. He was chairman of the Victorian State Opera from 1982 to 1995, president of the Victorian College of the Arts from 1982 to 1996 and
1375-659: The Roman Colosseum and Greek amphitheatres. A cluster of performance spaces, either separate buildings or under one roof, each space designed for a specific purpose such as symphonic music or chamber music or theatre, but multipurpose as a whole, are also described as performing arts centers. The modern version of this came into being only in the 1960s. In Australia, the Centre for the Performing in Adelaide
1430-712: The Victorian Deakinite tradition.". Despite being a knight, Hamer was a staunch republican and a member of the Australian Republican Movement's advisory committee. Shortly after his death in 2004, the main concert hall of the Melbourne Arts Centre , of which Hamer had played a significant role in its development and the arts in Victoria generally, known as the Melbourne Concert Hall, was renamed
1485-704: The archives. The Arts Centre presented the Kenneth Myer Medallion for the Performing Arts between 1994 and 2010. In August 2022 Karen Louise Quinlan AM was appointed chief executive of Arts Centre Melbourne, with the new role starting on 3 October 2022. After 18 years of director of Bendigo Art Gallery , Quinlan had headed the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra from December 2018 until September 2022. At
1540-460: The book A Place Across the River , Vicki Fairfax described the lot as a "oddly shaped piece of land" considered a sacred public spot by the locals. During World War II there was a push to establish a new home for the National Gallery of Victoria , along with a state theatre, on the site. The construction was difficult due to the triangular parcel of land the construction was planned on. However, by
1595-402: The concert hall site in 1976. During the first phase of the project from 1972 until 1979 responsibility was with Rupert Hamer as Minister for the Arts (and premier) and during the main construction phase from 1979 to 1982 with Norman Lacy as Minister for the Arts (and Minister of Educational Services). After significant public controversy, political inquiry and financial reassessment, the spire
1650-683: The early 20th century it was occupied variously by a permanent circus venue, an amusement park, a cinema and a dance hall. The area was a popular venue featuring the Olympia Dancing Place, the Glaciarium Ice-Skating Rink, a Japanese tea house, Snowden Gardens, the Trocadero and the Princes Court with a miniature train and water-chute. The Wirth's Circus appeared in 1907 with a 5000-seat auditorium. In
1705-431: The foundations, including water seepage, meant the structure had to be raised to three storeys above ground. Similarly, budget constraints meant that Grounds' design for the Theatres Building, which included a copper-clad spire, were shelved, and a shortened un-clad design was substituted. This was eventually replaced with the current "full-height" un-clad spire. By the mid-1990s, signs of deterioration became apparent on
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1760-401: The ground. The fire burned for about forty minutes, causing only cosmetic damage to the tower. In February 2016, two protesters climbed the spire of the centre to protest Nauru detention centre deportations. They stayed on top of the spire for 11 hours, and disrupted a programmed light show. They unfurled a banner reading #letthemstay . They were not arrested. As of 2022 there are plans for
1815-530: The largest public works projects in Victorian history, which had been undertaken over a period of almost twenty-five years. Arts Centre Melbourne is unusual in that its theatres and concert hall are built largely underground. Hamer Hall, situated closest to the river, was initially planned to be almost entirely underground, thus providing a huge open vista between the theatre spire, the river and Flinders Street railway station . However, construction problems with
1870-468: The party, Bolte's support was enough for Hamer to prevail in the ensuing leadership ballot, and he was sworn in as premier on 23 August. Hamer represented such a sharp change from the Bolte era that he was able to campaign in the 1973 election as a new, reformist leader, despite the fact that the Liberals had been in power for 18 years. Employing the slogan " Hamer Makes It Happen ", he won a landslide against
1925-605: The project, as well as its delays and cost over runs. The Victorian Arts Centre's management and administration was set up under the Victorian Arts Centre Act 1979 introduced into the Victorian parliament by Minister for the Arts, Norman Lacy. The trustees were appointed by the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the minister. The trust were given responsibility for the operation and programming of
1980-806: The publicly owned performing arts spaces that make up the Victorian Arts Centre – the Theatres Building beneath the Spire, Hamer Hall and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl . Soon after the legislation to establish the trust was passed, Norman Lacy and George Fairfax undertook a study trip to North America and Europe to assess administrative arrangements, educational programs and community initiatives at major performing arts centres in Los Angeles , San Francisco , New York , Washington , Toronto , Ottawa , London and Paris . The result
2035-500: The size of both the theatre and the concert hall required, the addition of a smaller second theatre, and to accommodate difficulties associated with the geology of the site, Roy Grounds completely redesigned the project. The concert hall was separated out and placed in the riverbank, and the theatres building expanded above ground, with a latticework spire above. Work began on the theatre site in 1973, but excavations were not completed until 1978, two years later than expected. Work began on
2090-558: The spire was inspired by the billowing of a ballerina's tutu and the Eiffel Tower . In early 2008, a wedge-tailed eagle and peregrine falcon were utilised to deter groups of sulphur-crested cockatoos from damaging the spire's electrical fittings and thimble-sized lights. On 1 January 2012 the spire was accidentally set afire by New Year's Eve fireworks. Two sides of the structure were set ablaze by fireworks that apparently discharged improperly, causing flaming debris to fall to
2145-559: The spire). Hamer Hall Hamer Hall (formerly the Melbourne Concert Hall) is a 2,466-seat concert hall – the largest venue in Arts Centre Melbourne's complex, used for orchestra and contemporary music performances. It was opened in 1982 and was later renamed Hamer Hall in honour of Sir Rupert Hamer (the 39th Premier of Victoria ) shortly after his death in 2004. State Theatre The State Theatre
2200-579: The time of her appointment to NPGA, Quinlan was also Professor of Practice at the La Trobe Art Institute at Bendigo . Quinlan was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Australia Day Honours list, "For significant service to the visual arts as an administrator and gallery curator, and to higher education". Performing arts centre Performing arts center/centre (see spelling differences ), often abbreviated as PAC ,
2255-429: The upper spire structure and Arts Centre Melbourne's Trust decided to replace the spire. The new spire was completed in 1996, and reaches 162 m (531 ft), though still based on Grounds' original design. The spire is illuminated with some 6,600 m (21,700 ft) of optic fibre tubing, 150 m (490 ft) of neon tubing on the mast and 14,000 incandescent lamps on the spire's skirt. The metal webbing of
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2310-757: Was Mentioned in Dispatches in 1945 for "distinguished service in the South-West Pacific". After the war he became a partner in his family's law firm and was active in the Liberal Party . In 1944 he married April Mackintosh, with whom he had five children. He continued his military service and remained active in the Citizens Military Force joining the Victorian Scottish Regiment in 1948, of which he
2365-574: Was the predecessor college of the Adelaide College of the Arts . The Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts is a college for Indigenous Australians in Brisbane . Some performing arts center organizations act as sole presenters for events using the venues within the center, but most also frequently rent their performance spaces to other performing arts presenters or self-presenting performing arts groups. An example of this practice
2420-406: Was 115 m (377 ft) tall, and because of its complexity was one of the first structures in Australia to rely on computer-aided-design (CAD). The gallery was completed in 1968, with the theatres to be built in a second stage. Responsibility for the project lay with the building committee, established in 1956 and chaired by Kenneth Myer from 1965 to 1989. For twenty-five years the committee
2475-754: Was Commanding Officer from 1954 to 1958. Hamer was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council for East Yarra Province in 1958. He was appointed to the cabinet of the Premier, Henry Bolte , in 1962, becoming Assistant Chief Secretary. He was Minister for Local Government from 1964 to 1971. After Deputy Premier Arthur Rylah 's retirement, Hamer was elected in a by-election for Rylah's Legislative Assembly seat of Kew in East Melbourne. He immediately assumed Rylah's portfolios of Deputy Premier and Chief Secretary. Although he
2530-402: Was a consistent force in the completion of the complex. Actor and film director George Fairfax , having joined the project in 1972, was appointed the first general manager of the building committee and then the trust, a position he held until 1989. As a result, Fairfax played an influential role in administration of Arts Centre Melbourne's development. In the early 1970s, due to the expansion of
2585-429: Was an Australian politician who served as the 39th premier of Victoria from 1972 to 1981, and prior to that, the 18th deputy premier of Victoria from 1971 to 1972. He held office as the leader of the Victorian division of the Liberal Party of Australia (LPA) and a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the division of Kew . Hamer was born in Melbourne to Elizabeth Anne McLuckie and Hubert Hamer,
2640-423: Was built in the centre of the city. These measures won the support of middle-class voters, and the Melbourne daily The Age , which had been critical of Bolte during his later years in power, strongly supported Hamer's government. Hamer was instrumental in the introduction of the Historic Buildings Act 1974 and made significant moves in 1977 which guaranteed the protection of several significant buildings including
2695-541: Was completed by the Minister for the Arts, Norman Lacy , installing the lightning conductor rod at its pinnacle on 20 October 1981. Once the buildings were nearly complete, and with the death of Grounds in 1981, Academy Award -winning expatriate set designer John Truscott , was employed to decorate the interiors. His work was constrained only by a requirement to leave elements already constructed, such as Ground's faceted cave-like concert hall interior, to which he applied mineral finishes, and his steel mesh draped ceiling in
2750-678: Was constructed by Leicester's Men – an acting company formed in 1559 from members of the Earl of Leicester's household. New performing arts centers emerged in the latter part of the 20th century as a means of generating new investment and increased economic activity and thus, a means for revitalizing neighborhoods as patrons are drawn to local restaurants and other businesses. PACs became a draw for touring shows and eventually included visual art in their facilities. Today, these centers are valuable civic resources that provide education, access, exchange of creative discourse, opportunities for cultural expression and awareness. A multi-use performance space
2805-423: Was loyal to Bolte, he had a reputation for being much more liberal than his rough-edged conservative leader. By the 1970s, the Liberal government was losing its appeal to younger, urban voters in Melbourne. Realizing that the Liberals had a year at most to retool their image before a statutory general election, Bolte retired in 1972 and endorsed Hamer as his successor. Despite opposition from the conservative wing of
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#17327935045982860-450: Was opened in 2024. Galleries Arts Centre Melbourne also houses dedicated gallery spaces including newly opened Australian Music Vault (formally Gallery 1 and the George Adams Gallery) on Level 6 (Ground level), Gallery 2 on Level 7, the St Kilda Road Foyer Gallery and the Smorgon Family Plaza, whose walls and central areas are used for exhibitions, in the Theatres Building. The Sidney Myer Music Bowl , situated in nearby Kings Domain ,
2915-444: Was sacked from Cabinet for disloyalty in March 1981. He was reinstated after pledging loyalty to Hamer, but resigned again in May. It was apparent by this stage that Hamer had lost the support of his party. He resigned in June, and was succeeded by Deputy Premier Lindsay Thompson . The following month he resigned from Parliament, and was knighted, becoming Sir Rupert Hamer . At the ensuing by-election, Prue Sibree retained his seat for
2970-439: Was the Melbourne Theatre Company 's staging of Euripides ' Medea , starring Zoe Caldwell and Patricia Kennedy . Fairfax Studio The Fairfax Studio is also located in the Theatres Building of Arts Centre Melbourne and is a 376-seat theatre. It was also opened in 1984. The Show Room The Show Room is located between the Playhouse and Fairfax Studio within the Theatres Building and is an intimate 150-seat studio theatre. It
3025-412: Was the development of Arts Centre Melbourne's management structure during 1981 and a suite of opening and on-going initiatives. The Concert Hall opened in November 1982, while substantial work remained to be done on the Theatres site. The rest of Arts Centre Melbourne was opened progressively in 1984, with the Theatres building officially opened in October that year. This signified the completion of one of
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