In an announcement which should excite many performing art aficionados living in Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne has confirmed their doors will be opening as of 12 December 2020 – just in time for the school holiday period. This comes following initial plans to re-open the campus incrementally in June 2020, which had to ultimately be postponed given the increasing prevalence of COVID-19 across the state. It should come as little surprise that things will not be headed back to business as usual from the outset.
The Arts Centre Melbourne precinct will commence reopening with the cafe Protagonist and their weekend markets. These events will factor in all COVID safety requirements, and in its earliest stages reflect a focus on outdoor experiences.
Along with the activation of Protagonist and Weekend Markets, Arts Centre Melbourne are delivering a handful of social projects including David Greybeard in support of the Jane Goodall Foundation, Urban Blooms, a city wide floral installation and will also be a part of the Me & UooUoo an art installation in January, in partnership for the Royal Children’s Hospital 150th anniversary.
Other spaces including The Barre and Australian Music Vault have anticipated opening time frames of January, when attendance density limits are expected to ease. This will be followed by the opening of theatres and other primary indoor spaces, which are subject to ongoing consultation between Arts Centre Melbourne and the Victorian Government’s Department of Health and Human Services. But it would be a surprise if the producers at ACM were not already busy planning a re-opening line-up of events.
Expect to hear more in the coming weeks.
It’s so exciting to have people returning to our arts precinct and an important step as we follow the roadmap to re-opening. It’s been a tough period of time for so many and we can’t wait to see happy faces enjoying the offerings that will steadily become available.
We are dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming space alongside all cultural, hospitality and retail offerings across the arts precinct. This is an important step for everyone as we work back into a sense of normality in visiting our wonderful city and enjoying all the fantastic things it has to offer
Every step that we take will ensure that being COVID-Safe is at the centre of what we do and we will be transparent on the things we are doing to make our places and spaces safe for all.
Claire Spencer AM – CEO of Arts Centre Melbourne
