Melbourne Now

Local Community

Are you artistically inclined? Perhaps you’re more musical – or design is your thing? Whatever the case, NGV’s Summer blockbuster Melbourne Now has something to satisfy your creative bent! From the 22nd of November until the 23rd of March, this extraordinary exhibition will celebrate the latest art, architecture, design, performance and cultural practice to mirror the complex creative landscape that is the town we call home. Chisholm & Gamon present must-see highlights from the cultural program that supports Melbourne Now in today’s blog. 


Displaying over 175 individual and group presentations - as well as an array of fascinating project installations - this elaborate exhibition spans across both the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia and NGV International on St Kilda Rd. It showcases the numerous ways visual artists and creative professionals contribute to society and to Melbourne as a city with a diverse and lively cultural identity. Melbourne Now encompasses various artistic disciplines including visual arts, architecture and design, dance and choreography and performance art and sound. This multifaceted exhibition involves staff from all departments of the NGV, along with a team of guest curators and artistic collaborators.

NGV Summer Sessions – Live 

For four Sundays in Feb (2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd) at 1pm, the NGV will celebrate summer with a creative afternoon in their ‘backyard’. The lawns of the Grollo Equiset Garden will be converted into a lively backyard filled with art and design, music, interactive art activities and (importantly!) food and drink. Visitors can take part in a range of activities, including Drop by Drawing with Melbourne Now artists. Design team Urban Commons will highlight the stunning garden setting with plantings and tours in their project, the Kitchen Garden and Wayward Forest.

Where: NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road.

 For more information regarding family activities, dates and session times, click here.

 Urban Commons Little Foodscrapers’ Club.

Come and enjoy some good old fashioned family fun with Melbourne Now. Kids and accompanying parents can enjoy a gardening session in the NGV Backyard - the session includes activities such as exploring the greenhouse and touring the NGV’s Urban Commons garden, as well as being educated about composting, watering, and harvesting vegetables. A fun, hands on and informative day out that the kids will love.

Where: NGV International, 180 St Kilda Rd, Ground Level, Grollo Equiset Garden.

The Menu: Out of the Kitchen  - Scott Pickett 

Come along and listen to Herald Sun features writer Simon Plant clear the bench and share stories, inspirations and tricks of the trade with Melbourne Chef Scott Pickett from Estelle in Northcote and Saint Crispin in Collingwood.

Date: Wedensday 18 December.

Time: 11am.

Place: NGV International, 180 St Kilda Rd.

For more information regarding Melbourne Now, visit the website.

To see what’s on, view the program here.