Description

The City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection contains over 15,000 artworks and artefacts, ranging from the 1830s to present day. Each of these objects is connected to a time, place and community and tells a unique story.

Occupying a halfway point between the eclecticism common to a private collection and the ambition of a state museum, the collection is big enough to reflect the city and its narrative, yet small enough to stay connected to the people who have and do live, work and play here.

The Collection store is located in the historic Melbourne Town Hall. Completed in 1870, Town Hall is at the heart of the city’s cultural and civic activity—many of the decisions that have helped shape Melbourne were made within this heritage-listed building. A mix of bluestone and Tasmanian freestone, this classically designed building features fine masonry, a clock tower, council chambers, a large auditorium with a grand organ, and an impressive portico where the Beatles waved to crowds in 1964.

Join us for a free guided tour of the Art and Heritage Collection store as we share knowledge, celebrate a diversity of stories and look at this city and its past from different perspectives. 

What's On

Join a tour led by specialist guides who will share the stories behind key artworks and artefacts in the collection store.

Arranged according to thematically-organised chapters, key tour themes include: Melbourne city events such as Moomba and the 1956 Olympic Games; city management; Town Hall and ceremonial-related items; city gifts and treasures; books and plans; photography, contemporary artworks, including public art maquettes; street art; artworks which were commissioned for the Metro Tunnel Creative Program; and a significant collection of works by urban-based First Nations artists.