Australian Music Vault Public Opening

Step Inside The Australian Music Vault

The Australian Music Vault, a new free exhibition space dedicated to sharing the story of Australian contemporary music
and exploring its future, will open to the public at Arts Centre Melbourne on Tuesday December 19th, 2017.

Created in collaboration with the music industry and funded by the Victorian Government, the ground-breaking new
Australian music experience will include a free exhibition, education programs and a fully integrated digital program and
will showcase items from the iconic people, events and places that define Australian music. Founding patrons include
Kylie Minogue, Archie Roach, Ian -Molly' Meldrum and Michael Gudinski.

The Australian Music Vault will feature items from artists that include: Kylie Minogue, Archie Roach, Molly Meldrum,
AC/DC, Men at Work, Split Enz, Midnight Oil, The Seekers, Tina Arena, Olivia Newton-John, Johnny O'Keefe, Margaret
RoadKnight, Skyhooks, Daddy Cool, Divinyls, Paul Kelly, Jessica Mauboy, Dami Im, Cold Chisel, Missy Higgins,
Silverchair, Bliss n Eso, John Farnham, Yothu Yindi, The Saints, Nick Cave, Radio Birdman, Spiderbait, Urthboy, The
Go-Betweens, Ngaiire, Ecca Vandal and Courtney Barnett.

The Australian Music Vault will not be approached chronologically or by genre and will feature rotating content to profile
the contributions of as many performers as possible. Themes will be broad in scope with interlinking content encouraging
visitors to create and discover unexpected connections across time periods and styles.

One of the featured themes, The Real Thing, will explore whether or not there really is an 'Australian Voice" by looking
at musical influences, lyric composition and the impact of performance venues on the Australian -sound'. It will celebrate
the contribution of hit makers and heroes and will also highlight the contributions of lesser known but equally influential
performers and industry personnel.

Also featured in the exhibition will be a series of displays that will highlight the power of music to bring people together
across socio-economic, political, gender and geographical boundaries and the notion of -musical tribes'. One of the first
to be explored will be Punk/New Wave, timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of punk. Looking at identity &
belonging, this area will explore the pivotal moment in Australian music between 1977- 1985 with a focus on performers,
venues and do it yourself recording, distribution and publishing.

Arts Centre Melbourne is a fitting home for the Australian Music Vault. In addition to being the busiest performing arts
centre in the country, it is also home to an extensive Australian music collection and best-practice curatorial, collection
management and programming experience.

The music collection is part of Arts Centre Melbourne Australian Performing Arts Collection, the nation's leading
specialist collection documenting Australia's circus, dance, music, opera and theatre heritage. Established in 1975 and
now formally recognised as a State collection, it consists of over 600,000 items including costumes, designs, programs,
photographs, posters, personal memorabilia and archival material.

The Victorian Government has invested $8.3 million in the creation of the Australian Music Vault at Arts Centre
Melbourne as part of its commitment to strengthening the State's music industry and culture.

 

For more information about Arts Centre Melbourne visit artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone 1300 182 183.

Image Credit:

Hot pants worn by Kylie Minogue in -Spinning Around' video, 2000

Arts Centre Melbourne, Australian Performing Arts Collection